Charles Austen's Family
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CHARLES JOHN AUSTEN [1] continued
... that Capt. Austen was at once nominated by Sir Edward Griffith Colpoys to be his Flag Captain in the 'Winchester' of 52 guns, on the North America and West India station. Here he continued to serve until obliged to invalid, from the effects of a very severe accident, in December 1830.
His next appointment was, on April 14th 1838, to the 'Bellerophon' of 80 guns – in which ship he returned to the Mediterranean where his exertions at the bombardment of St. Jean d'Acre, November 3rd 1840, procured him the Companionship of the Order of the Bath.
On December 2nd following, the 'Bellerophon' was attacked by a violent storm and nothing but the unparalleled exertions of the officers and crew, guided by Capt. Austen's able management, preserved her from being cast away, on the iron-bound shore of Syria, where, had she been wrecked, not a soul could have been saved.
The Good Service Pension was awarded to Capt. Austen on August 28th 1840. The 'Bellerophon' was paid off in June 1841.
He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on November 9th 1846.On January 14th 1850, Rear-Admiral Austen was appointed, without solicitation on his part, to the Chief Command of the East India and China station; ...
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