Thomas Wells (Royal Navy officer)

Wells joined the Royal Navy in 1774. He became commanding officer of the frigate HMS Melampus in early 1794 during the French Revolutionary Wars.[1] During this time Melampus participated in the Action of 23 April 1794, during which the British took three vessels, Engageante, Pomone, and Babet.[2] Melampus had five men killed and five wounded.[3] He went on to be commanding officer of the third-rate HMS Defence later in 1794 and commanding officer of the second-rate HMS Glory in 1799.[1] He acted as a pallbearer at the funeral of Lord Nelson in October 1805.[1] After that he became Commander-in-Chief, The Nore in 1807[4] and was promoted to Vice Admiral of the Red in 1808.[1]

• Winfield, Rif (2007). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714-1792: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1844157006.