George Charles Elers Napier, second son of Lieut. Elers, R.N., was
born 22nd May, 1812. In 1815, Captain, now Rear-Admiral Sir Charles
Napier, married the widow of Lieut. Elers, and adopted the boy, who,
at the age of 12 years, entered the navy under the auspices of his
step-father. His first ship was the 'Ganges,' on the South American
station; afterwards, he served as mate in the 'Galatea,' under the
command of his step-father, and subsequently was appointed to the
'Excellent,' where he remained engaged in the study of gunnery after
his promotion to the rank of lieutenant in 1832. On Sir Charles
Napier succeeding Admiral Sartorius in the command of the Portuguese
fleet, during the war of succession in that country, his step-son
joined him, and acted with the rank of captain, as his aide-de-camp,
on the day of the capture of Don Miguel's squadron, contributing not
a little, by the brilliant valour he displayed, to the success of the
day. Admiral Napier hoisted his flag on board a small frigate called
the 'Rainha,' and sweeping under the stern of a gigantic Miguelite
line-of-battle-ship of the same name, ran through a tremendous fire
alongside of her. The ships were lashed with the mainsheet, and
Commodore Wilkinson and Captain Charles Napier, heading the boarders,
passed from the bowser anchor to the enemy's bulwark, driving the men
across the forecastle along the larboard gangway. At this critical
moment, the ships yawing asunder, Captain Napier was left alone and
unsupported on the enemy's deck. Here he held his ground till his
sword becoming entangled between the ramrod and barrel of an enemy's
musket, was suddenly wrenched from his grasp, and as he grappled with
his nearest opponent, both fell over a gun, and were borne down on
the slippery deck. Just then, Admiral Napier, boarding in person,
with another party, rescued him from death, took possession of the
'Rainha,' and thus decided the fate of the day.
This was the first time Captain Charles Napier had ever been under
fire, and of the 14 sabre and bayonet wounds then received, he
retained many of the scars through his life. He was carried back to
his own ship in an insensible state; but the next day,
notwithstanding his sufferings, he wrote to relieve his mother's
anxiety with assurances of his safety. On recovering from his
wounds, he was placed in command of the 'Eliza,' a fine corvette, and
was invested with the Order of the Tower and Sword.
Shortly after the termination of the war by the establishment of
Donna Maria on the throne of Portugal, he was appointed, as
lieutenant, to H.M.S. 'Vernon,' on the Mediterranean station. In
1838 he was promoted to the rank of commander, and appointed to
command the 'Pelican,' in which he had his full share of service
during the war in China. Being posted before its conclusion, and
consequently superseded in his command, Captain Napier joined the
land-forces as a volunteer, and subsequently acted as aide-de-camp to
Sir William Parker, in which capacity, ever foremost in danger, he
scaled the walls of Ching-kang-foo, at the storming of that place.
On his return from China he applied himself to the study of steam,
and was offered the command of a fine steam-frigate, which he
declined, that he might devote himself to the comfort of his mother,
proving in many ways that the zeal and courage which he evinced in
his profession were fully equalled by the kindlier features of his
character.
He had joined the 'Avenger' only one month before the close of his
brief and gallant career when she was lost.