(This page was begun in January 2005 and was last amended on 12 December 2008).
Robert Pigot was born in Dulwich, South London, the son of Robert and Frances Pigot. He
was baptised on 21 October 1776 at Dulwich College. Robert Pigot joined the
Discovery on 07 January 1791 as a
midshipman until 03 January 1793. He was an A.B. from 03 January 1793 to 24 November
1794 when he resumed as a midshipman. He spent the whole voyage on Discovery. He
kept a log (Adm 55/30 Discovery, 07 Jan. 1791-07 Jan. 1795, Adm 51/4534 pt. 9 Discovery 08
Jan. 1795-02 Jul. 1795). It includes 4 views. Point Pigot in Prince William Sound is named
after him.
Robert Pigot was made a lieutenant on 27 September 1796. On 13 June 1805, Pigot was
serving as a liuetenant in the Cambrian, under Captain John Beresford, in the
North Atlantic, north of the West Indies. Pigot was dispatched to attack the Maria,
a Spanish schooner and he successfully captured the vessel.
A few weeks later, on 03 July 1805, the Cambrian chased and captured the French
schooner Matilda. The schooner surrendered in shallow water and it was through the
exertions of Lieutenant Pigot that the crew of the schooner was saved. Pigot and a party
of officers and men went on board the prize with orders to take it to St. Mary's River
(the boundary between Georgia and Florida) and search for a Spanish schooner and two
captured merchant ships. Pigot arrived at St. Mary's, and on 07 July and proceeded 20
kilometres up the river, through enemy fire. Reaching the three vessels, which were
lashed across the river, the Matilda attacked. The enemy quit the brig and
schooner and Pigot, after taking possession of them, turned the fire of all three vessels
upon the militia drawn up on the river bank and eventually they were routed. Adverse
winds prevented their escape until the 21st when the returned to sea and rejoined the
Cambrian.
Robert Pigot was among those wounded. He was hit by musket-balls in three places, two in
the head and one in the leg. He refused to leave the deck, except to have his wounds
dressed, during the whole action. Pigot is believed to have been promoted to the rank of
commander for his bravery and leadership. However, there is no official record of him
having been made commander. Nothing further is known about Pigot's later career and life, including when he died
though he may have died from the wounds suffered at the St. Mary's River. It certainly
appears to have put an end to his active naval career. There is no will.
Thomas Pitt sailed on the Discovery with George Vancouver and was a major problem
for the captain throughout the time he remained on the ship. Vancouver was unable to
deal with Pitt and resorted to physical punishment before finally dismissing Pitt by
sending him home from Hawai'i on the Daedalus. In taking these actions, not
usually meted out to a midshipman and certainly not to the son of a lord, Vancouver made
an enemy of a young man related directly and indirectly to most of the major players in
British politics in the 1790s. On his return, therefore, Vancouver's achievements were
eclipsed by stories of the supposed despotic means of his running the ship.
In 1792, Pitt's sister, Anne, married William Wyndham Grenville, son of George Grenville,
who had been Prime Minister. William was Foreign Secretary through the 1790s and would
later become Prime Minister himself. Two of William's cousins were John Pitt, Earl of
Chatham and First Lord of the Admiralty when Vancouver left Britain, and William Pitt
the younger, Prime Minister at the time. Even with out this marriage link all the Pitts
were closely related. Vancouver had lined up against the current establishment.
Thomas Pitt was born on 19 February 1775 at Boconnoc House, Cornwall, the only son of
Thomas Pitt, 1st Baron Camelford and his wife Anne. Even as a child he behaved strangely
and, after leaving Charterhouse School after only nine days, he joined the navy in
September 1789 on the Guardian, under Edward Riou. The ship was taking convicts
to New South Wales but, while attempting to obtain drinking water from an iceberg near
Prince Edward Island, was hit by the same iceberg. Many crew and convicts took the
boats, never to be seen again but Riou managed to nurse the stricken ship back into
False Bay at the Cape where it sank. Pitt was among the survivors who returned to
Britain. Riou was not prepared though to commend Pitt for his service on the Guardian.
Pitt joined the Discovery on 12 March 1791 as an AB until 01 June 1791. He then
served
as master's mate until 01 June 1793 when Vancouver reduced him to AB again. Vancouver
tolerated him until February 1794 when he sent him home on the store ship. Vancouver's
treatment of Pitt and some others of the "young gentlemen" alienated him from most of
the crew and many were ready to speak against Vancouver when the ships arrived back in
Britain.
Meanwhile, during a long a tortuous journey home via Australia, Malacca and India, Pitt's
anger and resentment grew. He also learned of his father's death on 19 January 1793,
which made him the 2nd Baron Camelford. He finally reached Britain in September 1796 and
lost no time in confronting Vancouver.
Pitt, now Camelford, challenged Vancouver to a duel and even physically attacked
Vancouver on 21 September 1796 when Vancouver was walking up Conduit Street in London.
This violent incident even led to a cartoon appearing by James Gillray, sympathetic to
Camelford, as was most of the current attitude. Vancouver prevailed on the Lord
Chancellor and Camelford was bound to keep the peace.
In April 1797, Camelford was promoted lieutenant and given command of the Favorite
in Antigua. A dispute arose between him and another officer, Charles Peterson, as to who
was the senior officer in port and officially in charge. A confrontation arose and
Camelford shot Peterson dead. On 20 January 1798, Camelford was court martialled at
Martinique and, amazingly, he was acquitted. He sailed from the West Indies back to
Britain on the Terror later that year. This marked the end of his naval career.
For the next few years Camelford was in London, living the self-indulgent life of a
spoilt, rich lout. He was repeatedly in conflict with the law for a whole series of
attacks on people, often for no apparent reason. Some biographers seem to excuse his
behaviour, portraying it as the exuberance of youth and pointing out that he was a
generous man, although they provide few examples of his munificence. At a time when
other people were hung or transported to Australia for stealing a handkerchief, this
man carried out a series of violent attacks and was always let off with a fine, which it
was easy for him to pay. A clear case of being related to and knowing all the right
people.
During part of this period he lived at 148 New Bond Street with Robert Barrie, another
of Vancouver's midshipmen. On 07 March 1804, Camelford took part in a duel with Thomas
Best. Camelford fired first and missed. Best fired and hit Camelford. Camelford died in
Kensington on 10 March 1804, aged twenty-nine, and was buried at St Anne's Church, Dean
Street, London. Camelford's lifestyle and behaviour after the Discovery voyage
suggest that little was lost with his death. It was unfortunate for Vancouver that he
had to suffer Pitt / Camelford for three years.
There is a genealogy and family tree for Peter Puget.
I have written a short piece describing how Puget named many features in Alaska at
Peter Puget and Alaska.
Peter Puget (pronounced pew-jet) was born on 01 November 1765 to John Philip Puget and
his wife Esther (née Dunn). The Puget family had a banking company in London and were of
Huguenot extraction. Peter Puget was the sixth child of seven and his father died before
Peter was two years old. His oldest brother, John, acted in loco parentis.
In 1778, Puget joined the navy as a captain's servant for Captain John Milligan on the
Dunkirk. At 14, he joined HMS Syren, as a midshipman under Captain Edward
Dodd, patrolling in the English Channel and North Sea. He later transferred with Dodd to
HMS Lowestoft and they sailed to the West Indies to be based at Antigua. Puget
took part in two land-based defence actions against French forces on St. Kitts and St.
Lucia in early 1782. His next posting was to HMS Thetis, under Captain John
Blankett and based at Gibraltar and in the Mediterranean.
Puget returned to the West Indies, joining HMS Europa at Jamaica in May 1783.
Here he met George Vancouver, Joseph Baker and Joseph Whidbey with whom he would sail to
the North Pacific in 1791. Baker, especially, became a close friend. In July 1787, Puget
returned to Britain where he was paid off. His mother, Hannah, married again in 1787,
this time to the Reverend Thomas Hey. They lived at Wingham in Kent. About the same time,
Puget's sister, Grace married William Digges Latouche in the same church, St. George the
Martyr in London. Latouche was a member of an Irish banking family.
Unable to secure employment in the Royal Navy, Puget set out to join Captain
Richard Strachan, then in the Far East. Puget sailed east in an East Indiaman, the
Prince, but was unable to meet up with Strachan and returned to Britain.
Puget was selected to join the expedition to the Northwest Coast of America and joined the
Discovery in 1790 as a master's mate. However, the Spanish Armament caused the
postponement of the voyage. Puget remained with the Discovery, which became a
receiving ship, and on 15 November 1790, he was made a lieutenant. Puget began as 2nd
lieutenant on the Discovery. On 26 September 1792, he was made 1st lieutenant. He
transferred on
25 November 1792 to command the Chatham. He finished the voyage in command of
the Chatham, bringing the vessel home to Portsmouth on 16 October 1795. Puget
kept a log (Adm 55/27 Discovery,
04 Jan. 1791-14 Jan. 1793. Adm 55/17 Chatham 13 Jan. 1793-06 Feb. 1794). It includes
four views. A third volume is missing.
After the voyage, Puget was quickly promoted commander in late 1795. He was given
command of the Adelphi and charged with taking 12 transports carrying armaments
to Gibraltar, which he did successfully. At Gibraltar, Puget took charge of the
Smallbridge which acted as a floating store for gunpowder for two months. In late
1796, returning in the Esther, Puget captured the El conde de Galbez, a
Spanish merchantmen but, off the Scilly Isles, the Esther was, itself, captured
by La Bellona, a French vessel. Puget paid a ransom and was allowed to sail on.
On 06 February 1797, Peter Puget married Hannah Elrington, the 17 year old daughter of
William Elrington, an army captain. Puget became a naval captain on 29 April 1797 and,
back at sea, was given command of HMS Raven and dispatched to Lisbon. At Lisbon,
Puget was instructed to take the Spanish San Nicolas (80 guns)
recently captured by Admiral Sir John Jervis, back to Britain. However, he was relieved
of that task and returned to Britain on another ship as a passnger, carrying dispatches
from Jervis.
In Britain, Puget went on the sick list and went to Bath. The Puget's first child, Peter
Richings Puget was born on 19 May 1798. George Vancouver was, by now, very ill and Puget
went to Petersham to assist finishing the text and charts. It was probably at this time
that the names of several members of the Puget family appeared on the charts of Northwest
America. Puget was declared fit for service again in December 1798. He joined the Van
Tromp a troop ship before, in March 1799, Puget was posted as flag captain on HMS
Temeraire under Rear Admiral Whitshed in the English Channel as part of the
blockade of Brest and other French ports. (Whitshed was the brother-in-law of John Puget).
However, the state of the Temeraire soon forced them all to transfer to HMS
Barfleur in the August. In October, they moved back into the Temeraire and
resumed patrols in the Channel.
In April 1800 Puget was put on half pay and was living in London. A second son, John
William, had been born on 18 July 1779 and in September 1800 another son, William David
was born in Church Court, Kensington. Puget was unable to secure any naval positions at
this time. The Puget's fourth son, Henry Joseph, was born on 19 September 1801. Volant
Ballard and Joseph Baker, two colleagues from Discovery days,
had homes and family connections in Presteigne, Radnorshire in the Welsh Borders and, in
1801, the Pugets moved to live in the village themselves. The closeness of the relationship
with Baker was shown when Puget called his fifth son Joseph Baker Puget, who was born in
June 1803 (Baker,
meanwhile, called one of his children Peter Puget Baker).
Puget returned to active service in 1801 in command of HMS Monarch before moving
on to HMS Foudroyant in 1804. Foudroyant proved an awkward command as the
ship and its crew were in poor condition. Puget took the ship back to Plymouth and half
the crew were sent to Hospital with fever. The ship, itself, needed a complete overhaul.
On 18 October 1805, Puget suffered a major injury in a fall aboard Foudroyant,
which forced him home to Presteigne. From 1804, Puget submitted a series of plans for
direct action against the French including an attack on Camaret near Brest but, although
the plan was approved, another officer was put in charge to Puget's frustration. The
attack was later cancelled. His other plans involving the capture of Ushant of Brest, and
of Valparaiso in Chile also never materialised.
Puget remained in Presteigne after his accident. A fifth son, George Whittaker, was born
on 06 March 1806 but, sadly, he was mentally retarded. The Pugets bought the Red House
on Broad Street in Presteigne in June 1806. As Puget regained his health, he was offered
a series of appointments, only for them to be rescinded. However, in February 1807, Puget
was given command of HMS Goliath. Sailing from Yarmouth in July, Puget and
Goliath led a flotilla of small vessels in an inshore attack during the Battle of
Copenhagen, an action that contributed significantly to the British victory. Puget was
commended for his role and bravery. The Goliath resumed blockade duties in the
Channel before, in November 1808, it put into Chatham and Puget was paid off. It
proved to be his last active service.
Puget returned to Presteigne where his first daughter, Eleanor Catherine, was born in late
1808. In June 1809, Puget was summonsed by Sir Richard Strachan to assist on a plan to
attack the island of Walcheron in the Scheldt estuary in the Netherlands (this was the
man whom Puget had searched for in the east in 1788). After setting up headquarters in
Deal, an attack was made and Walcheron was captured on 03 August. Puget was installed
as Commissioner of the Navy at Flushing until the end of the year. Meanwhile, Richard
Strachan Puget, the Puget's seventh son (and named after Sir Richard) was born in
September 1809. Peter Puget obviously impressed at Flushing as, in 1810, he was
appointed Commissioner of the Navy in Madras in India.
Travelling without his family, Puget arrived in Madras on 01 January 1811. Hannah was
pregnant again and gave birth in March 1811 to Hannah Clementia, their second daughter.
Puget was responsible for the condition and provisioning of all Royal Navy ships in the
region, which included Bombay and Calcutta. Puget oversaw the beginning of the move from
Madras to Trincomalee in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), a more pleasnt climate and venue for a base.
In April 1812, Hannah and the three youngest children set off from Britain in the
Lord Keith to join Puget in India. They arrived on 17 September. Puget's
efficiency (and honesty) did not always make him popular and his health had suffered
badly so that he was an ill man again. By 1817, he was ready to
return to Britain. Hannah and the children (added to with the arrival of Mary Hood on 12
July 1813) had already returned in 1815 on the Horatio. James Johnstone, another
colleague from Vancouver's expedition, was scheduled to take over from Puget, but he, like
Puget, was not well so the two men returned together to Britain on the Eliza.
Puget was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1815 but, through an oversight,
it was not gazetted until 1819.
Peter Puget arrived back in Britain in January 1818, and, on account of his poor health,
the family moved from Presteigne to Rivers Street in Bath. Their final child, Louisa
Grace was born there on 28 January 1819. Shortly after, the Pugets purchased 21 Grosvenor
Terrace in Bath. Puget became Rear Admiral of the Blue by natural order of seniority in
1821 but had little time to enjoy his promotion as he died at his home on 31
October 1822. He left a will proven on 04 December 1822 (PROB 11/1664). Puget was buried
nearby in Woolley. Hannah Puget died in 1849.
Of Puget's children:
Puget Sound, the inlet on which Seattle is situated in Washington State is named for him
commemorating his detailed surveying of that extensive waterway. Capes Puget and
Elrington in Prince William Sound commemorate Puget and his wife Hannah.
Edward Roberts was born on 27 June 1773 and baptised on 13 July 1773 at St. George's.
Hanover Square in London, the eldest son of Edward and Elizabeth (née Westbrook) Roberts.
His father was a victualler and probably ran the White Bear public house in Little
Newport Street. In March 1782, Roberts was petitioning Christ's Hospital School to
accept Edward junior as "The Petitioner has wife and 5 children to provide for whom he
finds it difficult to maintain and educate without some Assistance."
He was successful and young Edward entered the school in March 1782 at the same time as
Samuel Coleridge, later the famous poet. One of his masters was William Wales, who
taught mathematics at the school. Wales had been the astronomer on Cook's second voyage
and had taught Vancouver much about astronomy as well as becoming his friend. He
recommended Roberts to Vancouver for the voyage and Vancouver had written to Philip
Stephens, Secretary of the Admiralty, that Roberts would "be of great use both as a
draughtsman, and a calculator". Roberts's discharge record from the school, dated 18
February 1791 reads:
Roberts's name had already actually appeared on the muster role of the Discovery
on 07 January 1791 as an AB. He was listed as being 18 years old and coming from London.
He remained an AB until 01 February 1793 when he became a midshipman. Roberts spent the
whole voyage on Discovery. He kept a log but only parts of it survive
(Adm 51/4534 pt. 1 Discovery, 19 Feb. 1791-11 Feb. 1792 (entitled book 1st);
Adm 51/4534 pt. 2 Discovery, 31 Mar. 1793-12 Apr. 1794 (entitled book 3rd)). The 2nd
and 4th books are missing).
Lieutenant Joseph Baker was entrusted in drawing the charts of the voyage during the
homeward passage with Roberts probably as his assistant. The chart of the whole
Northwest Coast carries the name Edward Roberts on it.
Vancouver wrote to James Sykes (father of midshipman John Sykes), his naval agent, on
15 March 1797 and in a postscript put:
After his voyage with Vancouver, Roberts served on the Princess Augusta yacht
for a year, probably under Lieutenant Frederick Warren. He then joined the
Royal Sovereign for two months under Captain William Bedford. The ship was the
flagship of Vice-Admiral Sir Alan Gardner at the time.
Roberts passed his lieutenant's examination in March 1797 and received his commission
on 05 April 1797. He was appointed to HMS Calypso and this was followed by
service on HMS Venus(1799), HMS Resolution (1800) and HMS
Royal George (1801). Roberts still appeared as a lieutenant on an official Navy
List in 1805.
2 other Edward Roberts became lieutenants at about the same time and it is nearly
impossible to distinguish their service records, date of death, etc. One preceded
Vancouver's Roberts on 07 March 1795, the other followed on 10 November 1810. None rose
any further than lieutenant. There is a will for Edward Roberts, Lieutenant in the Royal
Navy, proven on 14 August 1829 (PROB 11/1760); and one for Edward Roberts, Lieut. in
the Royal Navy of No 2 Hereford Place, Whitechapel, Middlesex proven on 25 September
1844 (PROB 11/2005). It is uncertain which if either of these is Vancouver's Roberts.
Edward and Elizabeth Roberts had the following children, all baptised at Saint Anne
Soho, Westminster except for Edward Roberts who was baptised at St George's, Hanover
Square:
James Woodward Scott was baptised at St. Andrew's, Plymouth on 12 May 1774, the son of
James and Maria Scott. He joined
the Chatham from the Nautilus on 04 March 1791. He began as a midshipman
and remained one until 06 October 1793. He then transferred as a midshipman to
Discovery until 19 February 1794. Scott then returned to the Chatham as a
midshipman on 20 February 1794. He kept a log (Adm 51/4534 pt. 3 Chatham, 03 Mar. 1791-17
Aug. 1791; Adm 55/14 Chatham, 18 Aug. 1791-07 Oct. 1793, Discovery 08 Oct. 1793-19 Feb.
1794, Chatham 20 Feb. 1794-29 May 1795).
After sailing with George Vancouver, James Woodward Scott made lieutenant on 06 November
1795.
In 1803, Lieutenant James Woodward Scott was in command of the Princess Augusta
(a cutter of 70 tons, 8 guns and with 25 men) in the North Sea. In the September, the
cutter delivered orders from Lord Keith to warships off Helvoersluys, Texel and the
Elbe. On 20 September, 60 kilometres N.E. of Texel, two cutters approached under British
colours but in the early evening these were replaced with Dutch. After asking what the
Princess Augusta was, the Dutch opened fire, killing the gunner and boatswain
and wounding Lieutenant Scott in the shoulder. Broadsides were exchanged and the enemy
attempted to board but the Princess Augusta managed to hold them off. Lieutenant
Scott died of his wounds the next morning and the master, Joseph Thomas, took command,
returning the vessel to Dover.
Scott died leaving no will. He had married Elizabeth Hichens on 17 March 1803 at St. Ives,
Cornwall. They had a son, also called James Woodward Scott, baptised after Scott's death
on 23 August 1804 at Lostwithiel. William Isaac Scott, later an admiral, was probably
the brother of Scott while two
of Elizabeth's brothers, William and Robert, went to London from St. Ives
and founded a successful stockbroking firm, which stlll operates. Elizabeth Scott was
buried in Barnoon, St Ives, Cornwall on 29 June 1862.
John Sherriff was born on 28 September and baptised on 01 November 1769 at Leith near
Edinburgh in Scotland, the son of Alexander and Margaret Sherriff. He joined the Chatham from the Bellona. John Sherriff joined
on 04 March 1791 as master's mate. He spent the whole voyage on Chatham in that
position. Sherriff kept a log (Adm 53/334 Chatham 18 Aug. 1791-06 Jun. 1795). It
includes seven views and eight surveys.
After the Vancouver
voyage, Sherriff was made a lieutenant on 09 December 1795. He was further promoted
commander on 22 January 1806.
On 03 December 1807, Sherriff was in command of the brig-sloop Curieux. They were
sailing to the east of Martinique in the West Indies at latitude 14° 48' N, longitude
59° 14' W when they encountered the French privateer Revanche. The Curieux
attacked the Revanche but the larger French vessel prevailed. The brig's main boom
was shot away and Captain Sherriff and several of the men were killed while several
others were wounded. The Curieux, even in its debilitated state, made sail for
Barbados, and anchored there the next day. Sherriff left no will.
There is a family tree for John Stewart and Charles Stuart
that shows the relationship between them.
John Stewart was born on 04 August and baptised on 31 August at Whithorn in Wigtownshire,
Southwest Scotland, the son of William Stewart of Castle Stewart and his wife
Euphemia (nee MacKenzie). His father was descended from James Stewart, 2nd Earl of
Galloway, while through his mother he was related to Vice Admiral Keith Stewart (a
son of Alexander Stewart, 6th Earl of Galloway) and, more distantly, to George
Keith Elphinstone, Viscount Keith, another admiral. Both men helped advance Stewart's
naval career.
John Stewart joined the Discovery on 16 January 1791 as an AB He was a
midshipman from 01 June 1791 to 01 February 1793. He was a AB again from 01 February
1793 to 01 June 1793. Stewart was a master's mate from 01 June 1793. He spent the whole
voyage on Discovery. Stewart kept a log (Adm 51/4533 pt. 54. Discovery. 01 Jan.
1791 to 11 Jul. 1795; Adm 55/28 Discovery. 12 Jul. 1791 to 28 Jul. 1794; Adm 51/4533 pt.
55. Discovery. 29 Jul. 1794 to 02 Jul. 1795). It includes three surveys. Port Stewart
in Behm Canal was named after him.
After his voyage with Vancouver, John Stewart was made a lieutenant on 03 November 1795.
In 1799, the Queen Charlotte, flagship of Vice Admiral Viscount Keith and
commanded by Captain Andrew Todd sailed from Spithead for the Mediterranean. John Stewart
was a lieutenant on board. On 15 February 1800, Keith received intelligence that an enemy
squadron was reported to be approaching Malta, then under blockade by British ships.
Meanwhile, Nelson's squadron was engaged with the French, who had sailed from Toulon on
07 February to take 4000 troops and stores to the relief of Malta.
On 17 March 1800, the Queen Charlotte was sailing from Livorno to reconnoitre the
island of Cabrera and, when about 10 miles from her destination, she was found to be on
fire. Some hay lying under the half-deck had been set on fire by a match kept there for
the signal guns. The main-sail immediately caught fire and soon the front bulkhead of
the Admiral's cabin and the boats in the booms were ablaze. Soon the ship was ablaze from
stem to stern and her guns were going off in all directions. Lieutenant John Stewart, who
was in Livorno with Admiral Keith's shore party, did his best to persuade the Tuscans
there to go to her aid without much success. An hour later the ship blew up and then
turned over to float bottom up. 673 out of a complement of 840 died including Captain
Todd.
Stewart was promoted to commander on 25 December 1800 and captain on 06 August 1801.
In April 1806, Captain John Stewart superseded Captain Corbett in command of Seahorse,
which was refitted at Sheerness and, in March 1807, was ordered back to the Mediterranean.
HMS Seahorse was 38 guns and had been built in 1794 at Rotherhithe. While beating
through the Straits of Dover in thick weather she struck on the Varne shoal and knocked
off her false keel and rudder as she went over it. Stewart and lieutenant Thomas Bennett
were injured while attempting to rehang the rudder. After a temporary rudder had been
fitted and repairs made at Plymouth, the Seahorse finally sailed for the
Mediterranean with a convoy.
HMS Seahorse called at Malta and at Messina before joining Lord Collingwood with
the fleet at Imbros near the entrance to the Dardanelles. At the end of August, she was
sent to examine Porto Trio in Paros to see if it was fit for sheltering a squadron. On 17
September, Captain Stewart sailed for the Cyclades with orders to drive out the Ionian
privateers which had been sailing under the Russian flag and were now preying on the
islanders as pirates. This task was completed by the middle of October.
Stewart was subsequently senior officer in the Archipelago where he destroyed many small
vessels. The Turks wanted to crush the Epirots who were attacking vessels going to
Constantinople and asked Stewart if he would interfere if they sent out a force. He
replied that he would repel it so, when the Turks did come out, the Epirots sent word to
Captain Stewart at the island of Syra. On 05 July 1808, a Turkish frigate and a corvette
passed between the islands of Scopulo Killidroni and Stewart decided to attack them when
it was dark. The enemy ships attempted to run them on board but Stewart manoeuvred the
Seahorse to avoid this and dropped alongside the smaller ship, the Alis-Fezan,
and poured shot into her for about a quarter of an hour at closerange. By the time they
left her she was silent and had partially blown up forward. The action with the frigate,
the Badere-Zaffer, lasted for a longer time before the enemy was silenced and
Stewart decided to wait until daylight before taking possession. The next morning the
Turkish colours were still flying but after the Seahorse had fired a broadside into her
stern, she struck. The Badere-Zaffer with 543 men, was commanded by Scanderli
Kichue Ali.
The Seahorse, which had an establishment of 281 lost five killed and ten wounded.
Captain Stewart took his prize first to Miconi and then to Malta where the prisoners were
set at liberty. On 03 September, the Seahorse carried a British diplomat, Robert
Adair, who had come out to renew discussions with Turkey, to Tenedos to await the Turkish
plenipotentiary and then to Barbieri Bay in the Straits. A peace treaty was signed on 05
January 1809 and Seahorse proceeded to Constantinople where she remained for nearly
three months.
Stewart then visited Smyrna before returning to Malta. He received the naval medal from
the Admiralty. HMS Seahorse was next employed cruising between Corsica and the
Italian coast. On 10 May 1809, the boats of Seahorse and Halcyon destroyed
the enemy forts on the the small islands of Gianuti and Pianoza.
In the summer of 1811, Seahorse brought Lord Amherst and his family home from
Palermo. As they were passing through the Channel only Lieutenant Bennett going on deck
before daylight prevented them hitting the Varne Shoal for a second time. Stewart left
HMS Seahorse. Stewart died that same year on 25 October 1811, leaving no will.
There is a family tree for Charles Stuart and John Stewart
that shows the relationship between them.
The Honourable Charles Stuart (1775-1796) was the 4th son of John Stuart, 1st Marquess of
Bute (1744-1814), a diplomat, who himself was a son of John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute
(1713-1792) and Prime Minister. John Stuart (the Marquess) married Charlotte Jane
(1746-1800), daughter of Herbert Hickman Windsor, 2nd Viscount Windsor in London in 1766.
They had nine children, including Charles.
Charles Stuart joined the Discovery on 03 March 1791 as an AB until 01 June
1791 when he became a master's mate. He remained in that position until 01 June 1793
when he resumed as an AB again from 01 June 1793. An anonymous log exists that was
probably written by Stuart (Adm 51/4534 pt. 4. Discovery. 03 Mar. 1791 to 08 May 1792).
Stuart took part in many of the survey excursions during the voyage. Bute Channel and
Stuart Island were named after the Stuart family, after James Johnstone had surveyed
that part of British Columbia in 1792.
After Thomas Pitt had been punished by Vancouver, Stuart threatened Vancouver that he
should never attempt punish Stuart in the same way. After the voyage and before Stuart
could be promoted, he was posted to HMS Leda, a 5th rate of 36 guns. However,
under the command of Captain John Woodley, it was lost on 11 February 1796 off Madeira.
Two of Stuart's younger brothers also joined the navy: William Stuart (1778-1814) became
a captain; while George Stuart (1780-1841) rose to become a rear admiral.
Spelman Swaine was baptised on 01 January 1769 at St. Nicholas Chapel, Kings Lynn. The
Swaine family had a long association with Wisbech in the Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire. An
earlier Spelman Swaine
inherited Leverington Hall, outside the town, and other property in the town but he died
a bachelor in 1761. The hall was left to one nephew, Daniel, while another property went
to Daniel's brother John and, eventually, to his grandson, Spelman Swaine. The Swaine
family were acquainted with the Yorkes, the Earls of Hardwicke, who lived nearby and
Spelman probably benefited from patronage from them.
Spelman Swaine joined the Discovery on 20 December 1790 as a master's mate. He
was an AB from 01 June 1791 to 30 August 1792. He then changed ships to become master
of the Chatham until 26 September 1792. He returned to Discovery as 3rd
lieutenant from 26 September 1792 to 25 November 1794. Swaine was next promoted to 2nd
lieutenant on 26 November 1794. He kept a log (Adm 51/4532 pt. 1. Discovery. 18 Dec.
1790 to 30 Aug. 1792; Chatham. 31 Aug. 1792 to 26 Sep. 1792; Adm 51/4532 pt. 2.
Discovery. 27 Sep. 1792 to 02 Jul. 1795). Cape Swaine in Milbanke Sound, British
Columbia, was named after him.
After the voyage with Vancouver, Swaine was made lieutenant on 27 October 1795 and
commander on 29 April 1802. That year, Spelman Swaine took over command in July of the
Raven (Raven had been the French Arethusa captured by HMS
Excellent off L'Orient in October 1799) at Portsmouth. In the October, the
Raven together with the Sophie transported troops to Jersey before
proceeding to the Mediterranean where Swaine carried dispatches to Tangiers, Algiers,
Tunis, Tripoli and Valetta. During October 1803, Raven led Nelson's fleet through
the Bocche di Bonifacio between Sardinia and Corsica to an anchorage among the Maddelena
Island at Agincourt Sound. Unfortunately, a few months later on 06 July 1804, the
Raven was wrecked near Mazara in the west of Sicily. The crew were saved by an
accompanying merchantman and taken aboard the Kent.
Swaine was promoted to captain on 17 May 1810.
In 1811 Swaine took command of HMS Talbot on the Irish station. On 30 November,
Talbot sailed from the base at Loughswilly and by 04 December was buffetted by
gales. An accompanying vessel, the Saldanha, was wrecked but the Talbot
managed to ride out the storm. The Talbot was next used to protect the
Newfoundland and West Indies trade. Swaine transferred in April 1814 to HMS Statira
after its previous captain had been killed in a duel.
Statira returned to Britain and later took senior military personnel to New
Orleans. In Februay 1815, while sailing with a convoy from Bermuda to the Île Dauphine,
the Statira struck an uncharted rock off Cuba on the 26th. The officers and crew
were removed into a transport belonging to the convoy and the ship sank. Swaine returned
to Britian as a passenger in the Asia and was fully acquitted at the subsequent
court martial.
Swaine had married Sophia Ann Le Grice, from Bury St. Edmunds, in 1804. Sophia had been
baptised on 03 July 1781 at St. James, Bury St. Edmunds. Together the Swaines
had several daughters, including Dorothea Robertson (baptised 04 December 1808) and
Elizabeth Peers Gregory (born 1814, died 1887). The Swaines moved to live in the
Crescent in Wisbech having had
the Leverington house pulled down. Swaine was promoted rear admiral shortly before his
death. He held various offices in Cambridgeshire, including being Chief Bailiff for the
Isle of Ely. Swaine died on 14 January 1848 at Wisbech St Peters, leaving a will proven
on 29 March 1848 (PROB 11/2072).
John Sykes was baptised on 19 June 1774 in London, the son of James and Ann Sykes of Great
Alie St. James Sykes was a navy agent, and his wife the daughter
of the Reverend Thomas Abdy. Sykes senior had been taken into partnership by John
Gathorne in his naval agency. When Gathorne died in 1774, Sykes continued alone, moving
to 22 Arundel Street, off the Strand, in 1792 when the Navy Office was relocated to
Somerset House. The firm later became Sykes & Son, after Sykes took his son James Sykes
into partnership. Sykes acted as agent for George Vancouver, amongst others.
Sykes was born in London in 1773 and entered the navy in December 1783 as captain's
servant on the Resource. He was one of several young men who joined the
Discovery in 1790 only to be transferred to HMS Courageux under Captain
Alan Gardner during the Spanish armament. John Sykes joined the Discovery on 20
December 1790 as a midshipman. He became a master's mate on 01 February 1791. He was
then an A.B. from 01 June 1791 to 01 March 1793. He resumed as master's mate from 01
March 1793. He spent the whole voyage on Discovery. He kept a log (Adm 55/25
Discovery. 18 Dec. 1790 to 28 Feb. 1795). Significantly, he made
drawings of landscapes, many of which were used to illustrate the journals. Sykes Point
in Behm Canal was named after him.
After the voyage with Vancouver, Sykes was made a lieutenant on 06 November 1795, and
served on the Halifax station. He was made a commander on 16 June 1800 and served in
ships based in home and Mediterranean waters. In May 1803, Sykes assumed command of HMS
Hecla, a bomb. They took part in the bombardment of Havre-le-Grace in July and
August 1804 for which he was praised in official dispatches. The official list of naval
officers for 1805 records him as being in command of the Nautilus.He was promoted
to captain on 22 January 1806.
Sykes married Elizabeth Earl in Edinburgh in 1811. They had no children.
Sykes commanded the Adamant during the attack on Flushing in 1809 before entering
a long period on half-pay. From May 1825 until early 1827, he resumed command, this time
of the Ocean, the flagship of Lord Amelius Beauclerk off Portugal. In 1836, Sykes
was in charge of the Royal Adelaide. He made rear
admiral in 1838, vice admiral in 1848 and admiral in 1855. He had moved to live at
Castle Hill, Englefield Green in Surrey and he died there on 12 February 1858 shortly
after his wife who had died the previous August. They are buried at Christ Church,
Virginia Water in Surrey.
Joseph Whidbey was born in 1755 though details of his parentage and upbringing are
unknown. He became a master in the Royal Navy in 1779 and in 1786 was appointed master of
the Europa, the flagship of the American squadron based at Kingston, Jamaica.
During 1787 and 1788, he collaborated with George Vancouver in a hydrographic survey of
the seaward approaches to Kingston and the resulting charts were published later under
joint authorship.
Whidbey was appointed master, senior warrant officer, and navigator of the Discovery
for Vancouver's expedition to the Northwest Coast of America, which departed in 1791. A
log from Whidbey exists for before the voyage but nothing remains for the voyage (Adm
52/2262. 01 Jan. 1790 to 20 May. 1790).
Vancouver relied on him and made him a close confidant during the four-year long
expedition. Using small boats and much rowing, Whidbey carried out many of the arduous
boat surveys of the fractured coastline. An island near the entrance to Puget Sound was
named Whidbey Island in his honour.
After the Discovery voyage, Vancouver recommended Whidbey (on Whidbey's wishes) be
appointed a master attendant of a naval dockyard. His first appointment as such was at
Sheerness in 1799. His skill in salvaging the Dutch frigate Ambuscade from a depth
of 32 feet on the Nore bank was widely applauded, and Sir Joseph Banks read his account
of the feat at a meeting of the Royal Society on 28 April 1803. His election as a fellow
of the Royal Society followed in November 1805. A close friendship with another fellow,
John Rennie, who would design three bridges across the Thames in London, then developed.
In 1806, it was decided that Plymouth Sound was unsafe for ships in its unprotected state
from the prevailing weather. A breakwater was needed to make the Sound into a safe haven
for the Channel fleet. The Admiralty sent Rennie and Whidbey to survey Plymouth Sound. In
1806 the plan of Rennie, Whidbey, and James Hemmans for a detached breakwater across the
rocky shoals in the centre of the sound was accepted in principle but postponed for
financial reasons. Eventually, in 1811, orders were given for the commencement and in
1812 Whidbey was appointed superintending engineer and moved to Plymouth where he lived
in Bovisand Lodge on the east side of the Sound. He was able to ride down to Bovisand
harbour and then take a boat out to supervise the construction. In 1814 he was made a
freeman of the borough of Plymouth. The breakwater was completed in 1848.
He retired in 1830 to Taunton and lived at St James House where he died on 09 October
1833. He never married and he was looked after both at Plymouth and Taunton by Henry and
Catherine Oglan. His stone tomb is in St James's churchyard, Taunton, and he is also
commemorated by a plaque in St James's Church hall. He left a will proven on 19 February
1834 (PROB 11/1828).
Return to A Short biography of George Vancouver.
Robert Pigot
Robert Pigot (1776- )Thomas Pitt
Thomas Pitt, Lord Camelford (1775-1804)Peter Puget
Peter Puget (1765-1822)
Peter Richings Puget, having attended Pembroke College and worked as a clerk in Madras
(presumably for his father), became an actor. Moving to the United States, he worked
there under the name Peter Ritchings. He died in 1871.
Eleanor Caroline, the eldest daughter, married Robert Raikes in 1827.
Lieutenant's certificate for Peter Puget
In pursuance, etc of the xxxxx, we have examined Mr. Peter Puget
who by certificate appears to be more than 22 years of
age, & find he has gone to sea more than six years in the Ships and qualities
undermentioned (viz)
Dunkirk
08 August 1779
Ordinary
Syren
05 February 1780
Midshipman
Lizard
01 January 1781
Midshipman
Resistance
11 September 1782
AB
Thetis
05 November 1782
Midshipman
Europa
05 September 1783
AB
Duke of Portland
11 March 1784
Midshipman
Europa
07 July 1784
AB
Journals from Syren, Thetis, Duke of Portland. He produceth Certificates
from Captains Blankett, Dod and Brown
of his diligence, etc. He can splice, knot,
reef a sail, etc and is qualified to do the duty of an Able Seaman and
Midshipman. Dated the 03 October 1787.
Edward Roberts
Edward Roberts (1773- ) (amended 14 December 2008)
Edward Roberts is this day discharged from this Hospital for ever by
George Vancouver Esquire, Commander of His Majestys Ship Discovery with whom
he is to serve seven years.
I this morning received a very favourable answer from Lord Spencer in
reply to an application I made on Monday last in favour of Roberts's promotion,
wherein his Lordship says " he shall be glad to take an early opportunity of giving
Mr Roberts a commission".
Lieutenant's certificate for Edward Roberts
In pursuance, etc of the xxxxx, we have examined Mr. Edward Roberts
who by certificate appears to be more than 23 years of
age, & find he has gone to sea more than six years in the Ships and qualities
undermentioned (viz)
Discovery
19 February 1791
AB
Discovery
01 February 1793
Midshipman
Princess Augusta
04 November 1795
AB
Royal Sovereign
19 November 1796
AB
Royal Sovereign
13 December 1796
Midshipman
Journals from Royal Sovereign. Journals dispensed with from the
Discovery by order. He produceth Certificates from Captain Vancouver, Lieutenant Warren
of his diligence, etc. He can splice, knot,
reef a sail, etc and is qualified to do the duty of an Able Seaman and
Midshipman. Dated the 02 March 1797.
Genealogical information.
Edward Roberts (born about 1748) married Elizabeth Westbrook (born
about 1752) on 09 March 1773 at St George's, Hanover Square, Westminster.
Edward Roberts
27 June 1773
13 July 1773
Thomas Roberts
30 June 1776
21 July 1776
Elizabeth Roberts
12 July 1777
10 August 1777
David Roberts
12 September 1778
04 October 1778
William Roberts
10 December 1779
02 January 1780
Robert Roberts
29 November 1780
17 December 1780
Herbert Roberts
29 April 1782
26 May 1782
Joesph Roberts
08 June 1783
06 Julyy 1783
The will of Edward Roberts senior, victualler of St. George, Hanover
Square, was proven on 02 March 1796 (PROB 11/1272).
James Woodward Scott
James Woodward Scott (1774-1803)
Lieutenant's certificate for James Woodward Scott
In pursuance, etc of the xxxxx, we have examined Mr. James Woodward Scott
who by certificate appears to be more than 21 years of
age, & find he has gone to sea more than six years in the Ships and qualities
undermentioned (viz)
Carnatic
29 September
AB
Nautilus
29 April 1790
AB
Chatham
02 March 1791
Midshipman
Discovery
08 October 1792
Midshipman
Chatham
20 February 1794
AB
Chatham
10 August 1795
Midshipman
Journals dispensed with from the Chatham and Discovery by order.
He produceth Certificates from Captains Ford, Trigge, Lickey and Lieutenant Puget
of his diligence, etc. He can splice, knot,
reef a sail, etc and is qualified to do the duty of an Able Seaman and
Midshipman.
John Sherriff
John Sherriff (1769-1807)
Lieutenant's certificate for John Sheriff
In pursuance, etc of the xxxxx, we have examined Mr. John Sheriff
who by certificate appears to be more than 26 years of
age, & find he has gone to sea more than nine years in the Ships and qualities
undermentioned (viz)
Sury
16 March 1779
Ordinary & AB
Sphynx
16 February 1782
AB
Bellona
15 May 1790
AB
Bellona
09 June 1790
Midshipman
Chatham
02 March 1791
Master's mate
Journals dispensed with from the Chatham by order.
He produceth Certificates from Captain Hartwell and Lieutenant Puget
of his diligence, etc. He can splice, knot,
reef a sail, etc and is qualified to do the duty of an Able Seaman and
Midshipman.
John Stewart
John Stewart (1774-1811)
Lieutenant's certificate for John Stewart
In pursuance, etc of the xxxxx, we have examined Mr. John Stewart
who by certificate appears to be more than 21 years of
age, & find he has gone to sea more than six years in the Ships and qualities
undermentioned (viz)
Rose
09 May 1789
Captain's servant
Rose
08 May 1790
AB
Rose
10 August 1790
Master's mate
Discovery
16 January 1791
AB
Discovery
01 June 1791
Midshipman
Discovery
01 February 1793
AB
Discovery
01 June 1793
Master's mate
Journals from Rose. Certificates from Captains Waller and Vancouver
of his diligence, etc. He can splice, knot,
reef a sail, etc and is qualified to do the duty of an Able Seaman and
Midshipman. Dated the 04 November 1795.
Harwell, Dilkes.
Charles Stuart
Charles Stuart (1775-1796)Spelman Swaine
Spelman Swaine (1769-1848)
Lieutenant's certificate for Spelman Swaine
In pursuance, etc of the xxxxx, we have examined Mr. Spelman Swaine
who by certificate appears to be more than 21 years of
age, & find he has gone to sea more than seven years in the Ships and qualities
undermentioned (viz)
Crocodile
06 April 1782
Captain's servant
Recovery
22 August 1782
Captain's servant
Recovery
08 September 1782
Midshipman
Carnatic
25 March 1783
Captain's servant
Carnatic
20 September 1784
Midshipman
Carnatic
02 April 1785
Captain's servant
Carnatic
11 October 1785
Midshipman
Champion
14 July 1786
Captain's servant
Champion
14 August 1786
AB
Sandwich
21 October 1787
AB
Impregnable
11 December 1787
Midshipman
Lowestoffe
23 February 1788
Midshipman
Journals from Impregnable and Lowestoffe. He produceth Certificates
from Captains Bertie, Molloy, Domett, Pringlr and Dod
of his diligence, etc. He can splice, knot,
reef a sail, etc and is qualified to do the duty of an Able Seaman and
Midshipman.
John Sykes
John Sykes (1774-1848)
Lieutenant's certificate for John Sykes
In pursuance, etc of the xxxxx, we have examined Mr. John Sykes
who by certificate appears to be more than 21 years of
age, & find he has gone to sea more than eleven years in the Ships and qualities
undermentioned (viz)
Resource
25 December 1783
Captain's servant
Merlin
Captain's servant
04 May 1787
Merlin
01 May 1788
AB
Royal Charlotte
10 April 1789
Midshipman
Discovery
06 January 1790
Midshipman
Courageux
11 July 1790
Midshipman
Discovery
18 December 1790
Midshipman & Master's mate
Discovery
01 June 1791
AB
Discovery
01 March 1793
Master's mate
Journals from Corageux. Journals dispensed with from the Discovery
by order. He produceth Certificates from Captains Pakenham, Parker, Roberts, Gardner
and Vancouver of his diligence, etc. He can splice, knot,
reef a sail, etc and is qualified to do the duty of an Able Seaman and
Midshipman. Dated the 04 November 1795.
Joseph Whidbey
Joseph Whidbey (1755-1833)