George Bowen

Notes on Officer

This officer is of a respectable Welsh family. He attained the rank of Post-Captain, Feb. 14, 1781, and commanded the Montagu, of 74 guns, in the partial action between Rear-Admiral Graves and the Count de Grasse, off the Chesapeake, Sept. 5, in the same year.

The Montagu afterwards accompanied the squadron under Sir Samuel Hood to the West Indies, and Captain Bowen was present at all that officer’s brilliant achievements on the Leeward Island station, an account of which will be found under the head of Retired Captain John N. Inglefield. He also shared the glories of the memorable 12th April, 1782, when the British fleet under Rodney, defeated that of France commanded by de Grasse, who it will be remembered was taken prisoner on the occasion. The loss sustained by the Montagu in this battle, amounted to 12 killed and 31 wounded.

A long interval of peace succeeded the above glorious event, and Captain Bowen remained unemployed until the commencement of the war with the French republic, in 1793, at which period he was appointed to the Belliqueux, of 64 guns, and afterwards removed into the Veteran, of the same force.

In the Autumn of 1795, he obtained the command of the Canada, of 74 guns; and early in the following year proceeded to the West Indies, under the orders of Sir Hugh C. Christian, with whom he served at the reduction of St. Lucia; after the capture of which island the Canada was sent to Jamaica, the station where Captain Bowen continued to command her until 1797, when he removed into the Carnatic, another ship of the same rate. He was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral, Feb. 14, 1799; Vice-Admiral, Nov. 9, 1805; and Admiral, July, 31, 1810. During part of the late war, he commanded the Sea Fencibles in Ireland; but we believe, never served afloat as a Flag-Officer.

Admiral Bowen’s youngest daughter was married in 1818, to Captain Honyman of the Grenadier Guards, second son of Sir William Honyman.