James Richard Dacres (1788%E2%80%931853)

James Richard Dacres, RN was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, and the War of 1812. A member of a substantial naval dynasty, he eventually rose to the rank of vice admiral, but is chiefly remembered for his engagement with the American frigate USS160Constitution which saw the loss of his ship, HMS160Guerriere.

Dacres was born in Lowestoft onAugust 1788, the son of Captain, later ViceAdmiral, James Richard Dacres and his wife Eleanor Blandford Pearce. The Dacres would eventually become a substantial naval dynasty, Jamess elder brother Barrington Dacres embarked on a naval career and rose to be postcaptain, while their uncle, Richard Dacres became a viceadmiral. His cousin, Richards son Sydney Dacres would eventually be an admiral, and First Sea Lord. James Richard Dacres entered the navy in 1796 at the age of eight, serving aboard his fathers old ship, the 64gun HMS160Sceptre, as a first class volunteer. He moved aboard the 98gun HMS160Barfleur in 1797 and was present during the expedition to Ferrol in August 1800 as a lieutenant aboard the 74gun HMS Impetueux.

Source: Wikipedia