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  officer is a son of the late John Bullen, Esq. (Surgeon-General of the naval force employed on the coast of America, under Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot, in 1779, 1780, and 1781), by Ruth, daughter of Charles Liddell, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Esq., and second cousin of the present Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain.

He was born at the above place, Sept. 10, 1769; and embarked, when little more than ten years of age, as a Midshipman on board the Europe 64, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot, under whose patronage, and the immediate protection of his father, he proceeded to New York, where he was removed, at his own request, into the Renown of 50 guns, for the purpose of seeing more active service than the flagship was likely to be engaged in.

On her passage to Quebec with a large fleet under her protection, the Renown encountered a heavy gale of wind, during which she was totally dismasted, and only saved from destruction by the active exertions of her first Lieutenant, the present Rear-Admiral Sir James Athol Wood. The greater part of the merchantmen having either foundered or dispersed, she returned to New York, where Mr. Bullen joined the Loyalist sloop of war, commanded by Captain Ardesoif, with whom he continued on the American station till 1781, during which period he was present at the reduction of Charlestown, in South Carolina, and other services of importance.

The Loyalist being paid off on her return to England, and a general peace approaching, Mr. Bullen availed himself of the opportunity afforded him, by prosecuting nautical and other necessary studies, till 1786, when he again embarked,