# A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Massie, Thomas Lecke

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​MASSIE. (Captain, 1841. f-p., 20; h-p., 9.)
Thomas Lecke Massie entered the Navy 28 Oct. 1818, as Midshipman, on board the Rochfort 80, Capt. Andrew Pellet Green, bearing the flag of Sir Thos. Fras. Fremantle and Sir Graham Moore in the Mediterranean; where he continued, until the spring of 1828, to serve in the Redpole 10, Capt. R. Anderson, Rochfort again, Capt. Chas. Marsh Schomberg, Columbine 18, Capt. Hon. Chas. Abbot, Martin 18, Capt. Henry Eden, Rose 18, Capts. Hon. C. Abbot and Lewis Davies, and Asia 84, Capt. Sir Edw. Codrington. While in the Columbine, which vessel was totally lost off Sapienza, near the Morea, 25 Jan. 1824; we find him employed in several boat-attacks on the pirates in the vicinity of Cape Matapan; particularly on one occasion, when he took command of the pinnace and assisted in capturing one vessel and destroying another. He was present in the Martin, in Sir Harry Neale’s demonstration before Algiers; and when in the Rose during the Greek revolution, he was again anti-piratically employed, and obtained mention for his conduct in an attack upon several vessels at Samothracia. As a reward for his behaviour in the Asia at the battle of Navarin, Mr. Massie was promoted to a death-vacancy in that ship, and his commission dated 11 Nov. 1827. His subsequent appointment, in the capacity of Lieutenant were – 25 June, 1828, and 19 Feb. 1830, as a Supernumerary, to the Ramillies and Talavera Coast Blockade ships, Capts. Hugh Pigot and David Colby – 7 April, 1831, to the Prince Regent 120, Capt. Jas. Whitley Deans Dundas, employed in the Channel and under the flag of Rear-Admiral Wm. Parker off Lisbon – 27 June, 1832, as Senior, for the purposes of a trial-cruize, to the Vernon 50, Capt. Sir Fras. Augustus Collier – 8 Jan. 1833, in a similar capacity, to the Satellite 18, Capt. Robt. Smart, stationed in the North Sea with the force off Antwerp, and in South America, where he remained three years – 7 June, 1836, to the Vanguard 80, Capt. Hon. Duncombe Pleydell Bouverie, part of an experimental squadron – and, 22 Nov. 1836, again as First, to the Carysfort 26, Capt. Henry Byam Martin, in the Mediterranean. He attained the rank of Commander 28 June, 1838; and, being appointed Second-Captain, 7 March, 1840, of the Thunderer 84, Capt. Maurice Fred. Fitzhardinge Berkeley, was present in the course of that year at the camp at D’Journi, and at the bombardment of Beyrout, the storming of Sidon, and the capture of St. Jean d’Acre. On the fall of Sidon Capt. Massie went on shore, and assisted in organizing the police, and putting the place in a state of defence – a service that procured him the approbation of Capt. Berkeley. For his conduct at Acre he was advanced (as soon as he had completed his term of servitude as Commander) to Post-rank, by commission dated 17 March, 1841. He has since been on half-pay.
In 1839, Capt. Massie and several other officers were sent out to assist in reconstructing the Turkish fleet; but, in consequence of some political change, they were under the necessity of returning at the end of six months. Capt. Massie married, 8 Feb. 1844, Charlotte Hester, only daughter of E. V. Townshend, Esq., of Wincham Hall, Cheshire.