Dates

• Existence: 1750 - 1823

Biography

Sir Henry Darby was an Irishman, the second son of Jonathan Darby of Leap Castle, King's County, and nephew of Vice-Admiral George Darby (c1720-1790) [1]. Having followed his uncle into the Navy, Henry Darby was appointed lieutenant in 1776, and promoted commander in 1781 and post captain in 1783. On 1 August 1796 he was appointed captain of the Bellerophon (74), and in that capacity served at the Battle of the Nile (1 August 1798), during which he was wounded in the head and his ship dismasted. In 1800 he was transferred to the newly-launched Spencer (74). He was promoted Rear-Admiral of the Blue on 23 April 1804, and progressed up the list of flag officers until his final promotion to Admiral of the Blue in August 1819. The following year he was appointed KCB. He died unmarried and intestate in 1823.