James Alms
| James Alms | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 July 1728 Gosport, Hampshire |
| Died | 8 June 1791 Chichester |
| Buried | Chichester Cathedral |
| Allegiance |
 Great Britain
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Navy
|
| Years of service | 1740 – 1791 |
| Rank | Post-Captain |
| Commands held |
HMS Flamborough's Prize HMS Alarm HMS Ferret HMS Cygnet HMS Montreal HMS Monmouth |
| Battles/wars |
|
James Alms (15 July 1728 – 8 June 1791) was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the War of the Austrian Succession, the Carnatic and Seven Years' War and the American War of Independence, rising to the rank of post-captain.
Alms served in the navy from an early age, seeing his first actions in the Mediterranean and off the French coast, before going out to the East Indies. He narrowly survived a shipwreck that claimed most of his shipmates, and returned to England shortly afterwards, having achieved the rank of lieutenant. He was briefly back in the East Indies for service during the early years of the Seven Years' War, before going to the West Indies in acting-command of a frigate. After being involved in a number of important actions in the Caribbean, he returned to Britain after the end of the war, and retired ashore. Returning to active service after the outbreak of the American War of Independence, he went out to the East Indies in command of his own ship. He saw action at most of the engagements between Sir Edward Hughes and the Bailli de Suffren, particularly distinguishing himself at the Battle of Providien. He retired ashore after the end of the war, and died in 1791.
Alms was born in Gosport, Hampshire on 15 July 1728, the son of John and Mary Alms. His father was said to be a servant of the Duke of Richmond. After a period working in merchant ships he entered the navy in 1740, joining the 74-gun HMS Namur, and by the age of 14 was rated midshipman and serving as aide de camp to Captain Charles Watson, of the 60-gun HMS Dragon in the Mediterranean. He saw action at the Battle of Toulon on 22 February 1744 and was praised by his commander for his actions in the engagement. He then joined the 74-gun HMS Namur, serving with Admiral George Anson's fleet off the French coast. Anson's fleet engaged a French one at the First Battle of Cape Finisterre on 14 May 1747, winning a decisive victory and capturing a number of French warships and merchants. Alms remained in Namur, and went out in her in October the following year to the East Indies with Admiral Edward Boscawen. Namur was one of three ship wrecked on the Coromandel coast in a storm on 12 April 1749, with Alms one of just 23 saved from Namur. He was promoted to lieutenant on 14 May 1749 in the aftermath of the disaster, and was assigned to HMS Siren, a frigate returning to England in the spring of 1752.
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