James Athill

Notes on Officer

James Athill entered the Navy, 1 Sept. 1804, as a Supernumerary, on board the Tigre 74, Capt. Benj. Hallowell, for the purpose of joining the Royal Sovereign 100, bearing the flag of Sir Rich. Bickerton, on the Mediterranean station, where he afterwards became attached to the Queen 98, Capt. Fras. Pender, and again to the Tigre, commanded as before. While in the latter ship, in which he served for six years, he attended the expedition of 1807 to Egypt, and, on the night of 31 Oct. 1809, was employed in her boats with those of a squadron under Lieut. John Tailour, at the capture and destruction, after a fearful struggle, and a loss to the British of 15 men killed and 55 wounded, of the armed store-ship Lamproie, of 16 guns and 116 men, bombards Victoire and Grandeur, and armed xebec Normande, with a convoy of seven merchantmen, defended by numerous strong batteries, in the bay of Rosas. Mr. Athill, who attained the rank of Lieutenant while serving in the Centaur 74, Capt. John Chambers White, 31 Jan. 1812, was subsequently employed in the Malta 80, flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Hallowell, from Oct. 1812, to Dec. 1813. He then returned to England, and has not since been afloat.