# A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Barrett, Robert John

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​BARRETT. (Lieut., 1828. f-p., 10; h-p., 24.)
Robert John Barrett, born 28 Aug. 1799, is son of the late gallant Capt. John Barrett, R.N., who, with nearly 500 of his crew, perished on board the Minotaur 74, when wrecked, on the Haak sands, near the Texel, 22 Dec. 1810.
This officer (who had already attained a proficiency in mathematics) entered the Navy, 11 Dec. 1813, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Hebrus, of 42 guns and 284 men, commanded by his friend and patron, Capt. Edm. Palmer. On 27 March, 1814, having attained the rating of Midshipman, he took charge of the foremost quarter-deck guns, and assisted at the capture, under Cape La Hogue, after a close and obstinate engagement of two hours and a quarter, in which the British had 13 men killed and 25 wounded, and the enemy 40 killed and 73 wounded, of the French frigate L’Etoile, of 44 guns and 315 men. Besides participating as Aide-de-camp to Capt. Palmer in many minor expeditions, Mr. Barrett subsequently shared in all the arduous duties connected with those against Washington and Baltimore. He also, after blockading an American frigate of superior force lying in Hampton Roads, served in the Hebrus’ launch when, in conjunction with the boats of the Dragon, she led the attack on the enemy’s fort at Point Petre; and was further present at the surrender of the town of St. Mary’s. In a subsequent action between the boats of the Hebrus and five American gun-vessels, when the launch, in which Mr. Barrett was again employed, together with a prize-tender, was captured by the enemy, he only escaped being himself taken from the circumstance of his having remained behind to spike the guns of his boat while his comrades were being transferred to another vessel, which afforded an opportunity to the cutter of his own ship to bear him off in safety. In July, 1815, we find him still in the Hebrus, engaged in forcing the formidable passage of the Gironde, destroying the heavy batteries by which it was defended, and actively co-operating with the French royalists in the neighbourhood of Bordeaux. When the Hebrus, in July, 1816, was ordered to the Mediterranean, Mr. Barrett, although not then 17 years of age, was appointed her Acting-Master, and in that capacity performed the responsible duty of navigating the ship to Gibraltar. After distinguishing himself at Algiers, he became successively attached to the Severn 40, Capt. Hon. Fred. Wm. Aylmer, and Glasgow 50, Capt. Hon. Anthony Maitland. As Second Master of the latter ship he was present during Sir Thos. Maitland’s interview with the celebrated Ali Pacha in the Palace of Prevesa, on the occasion of the ratification of the treatv of Parea. At the request of the Commnder-in-Chief, Mr. Barrett subsequently consented to act as Master of the Scout 18, Capt. Wm. Ramsden, which sloop he twice conducted through the intricate navigation of the Archipelago as far as Smyrna, without the aid of a pilot, although two were allowed. Passing his examination for Lieutenant in July, 1821, he was next for a short time employed on the Coast Blockade at Hastings, in the capacity of Admiralty Midshipman; and in the course of 1827, after an unemployed interval of five years, was in succession appointed Admiralty Mate of the Revenge 74, Capt. Norborne Thompson, and Royal George yacht. On his eventual return from a voyage made with despatches to the coast of Africa in the Onyx tender, he joined the Royal Sovereign yacht, bearing the flag of the Duke of Clarence, through whose interest, after having accompanied His Royal Highness in a visit to all the naval ports, and in an experimental cruize in the Channel, he was at length awarded a commission, dated 8 Aug. 1828 – some years previously to which event he had refused the warrant of Master. The effects of a severe bodily injury which Mr. Barrett had formerly received in the service, recurring about the same period with all their original violence, have since prevented him from seeking active employment, and consequently further advancement in his profession.
Lieut. Barrett has on three separate occasions perilled his own existence by jumping overboard to the rescue of others. He is the author of various and interesting papers in the U.S. Journal, of which it may be sufficient to instance “The Passage of the Gironde,” “Naval Recollections of the American War,” “The Battle of Algiers,” “The last Cruize of H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence,” &c. He has been married several years, and has issue two sons. Agent – Joseph Woodhead.