# A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Goullet, Charles

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​GOULLET. (Lieut., 1814. f-p., 18; h-p., 24.)
Charles Goullet, born in 1792, at Sowerby in Yorkshire, is son of the late Peter Goullet, Esq. of Heavitree, co. Devon. His grandfather was a Magistrate for co. York.
This officer entered the Navy, 5 June, 1805 as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Caesar 80, Capt. afterwards Rear-Admiral, Sir Rich. John Strachan; under whom, in the course of the same year, he joined, as Midshipman, in Cornwallis’ pursuit of the French fleet into Brest, and contributed to the capture of the four French line-of-battle ships which had effected their escape from Trafalgar. He next in 1809, when under the flag of Hon. Robt. Stopford, witnessed the destruction of three of the enemy’s frigates near Sable d’Olonne, and also of the shipping in Basque Roads. The Caesar being then ordered to re-hoist the flag of Sir R J Strachan, for the purpose of attending the expedition to the Walcheren, Mr. Goullet accordinglv accompanied that officer to the river Scheldt, where he was intrusted with the command of No 70 gun boat. In April, 1810, he became Master’s’ Mate of the Semiramis 36, Capt. Chas. Richardson stationed off Lisbon, and on there removing in Jan. 1811, to the Barfleur 98, flag-ship of Hon. Geo. Cranfield Berkeley, he appears to have been for some time employed in command of a boat up the river Tagus. On his return to England in the ​Caesar in the following July, Mr. Goullet obtained a Midshipman’s berth on board the Nijaden 36, Capt. Farmery Predam Epworth, with whom, after having effected a masterly escape from five French line-of-battle ships, and simultaneously prevented three large Indiamen from being taken by them, he was transferred, in May, 1812, to the Nymphe 38. Being ordered in that ship to the coast of North America, he assisted for a considerable time, as Master’s Mate, in blockading the port of Boston, where was lying the powerful U.S. frigate Constitution. On 15 Aug. 1813, while detached in a boat, he had the fortune, by an exercise of great zeal and of the most persevering and spirited conduct, to effect the capture, although the Nymphe at the time was hull-down in the distance, of the Paragon letter-of-marque (pierced for 14 guns), carrying 4 long twelves and 25 men, which did not surrender until after a chase and running fight of eight hours. He was subsequently attached for a period of four months to the St. Domingo, flag-ship of Sir John Borlase Warren, but being then, in March, 1814, permitted to rejoin the Nymphe, was speedily invested with the command of her tender; in which vessel he rendered himself so obnoxious to the enemy in consequence of the large number both of coasters and towns he captured and ransomed, that a price was actually set on his head. On one occasion his gallantry led him to enter the port of Boston in a boat with six other persons for the purpose of destroying the Independence ship of the line, then but recently launched. Although the enterprise was not crowned with the success its boldness deserved, still was every danger that the most glowing triumph could have demanded fully met and overcome. Having pulled past a whole tier of heavy batteries, the little band of adventurers entered the inner harbour, where they boarded a schooner, which they quickly fitted out as a fire-ship, and then sent blazing in the direction of the Independence. Day now dawning, and the enemy being in a state of commotion, they were obliged to make off with all speed, pursued by a number of boats, from whom, as well as the batteries, they contrived to escape in safety. Mr. Goullet’s previous conduct in capturing the Paragon having been rewarded with a commission dated 29 Sept. 1814, he was next appointed to the Newcastle 50, Capt. Lord Geo. Stuart, with whom he returned home and was paid off in Sept. 1815. He joined the Coast Guard 11 Oct. 1837, and continued to be employed on that service until the close of 1839, when he was obliged to retire for two years in consequence of a severe sprain received in both legs while in the execution of his duty. Since 10 Aug. 1841 he has again been in charge of a Coast Guard station.
Lieut. Goullet married, 8 Feb. 1825, Emma, daughter of Thos. Britten, Esq., of Forrest Hill, co. Kent, and has issue eight children. Agents – Goode and Lawrence.