Le Grice, Le Grys et al.

Thomas Swaine(1573-1640), appears to have been the first to make his way in the world. He made a number of purchases in Leverington and at his death left his property to Robert, his youngest son. Robert Swaine, who died in 1606 and may have been the son of Thomas Swaine, was church-warden in 1551 and 1553. Robert's son,Born when James I was still on the throne, this second Robert lived into the reign of Queen Anne, dying in 1705 at the age of 88, having served as High Sheriff of the county. His only surviving son, Thomas, succeeded him, and on his death in 1729 left Leverington Hall to his youngest son, named Spelman after his mother's family. Spelman Swaine continued to farm his lands, as his father and grandfather had done, and died a bachelor in 1761, leaving the Hall by will to a nephew, Daniel, a merchant of King's Lynn. Another house in Leverington, which is said to have been not unlike the Hall, went to Daniel's elder brother, John. It later on came to John's grandson, another Spelman, whose naval career began on 7 Apr1783. He sailed with Vancouver as 3rd Lt on the voyage of HMS Discovery in which the South Seas and the north-west coast of America were explored, where he had a Cape named after him. On the 6 July 1804 Commander Spelman Swaine and his 18 Gun-brig-Sloop HMS Raven was shipwrecked, on the coast of Sicily, Mediterranean . All the crew were saved. As Captain Swaine he was given his first warrant for HMS Talbot in Aug 1811 where initially he was on Irish Station?? but then had a meatier role protecting traders off the Newfoundland coast. From HMS "Talbot" he was given the HMS " Statira" after her Captain was killed in a duel! He was promoted Rear Admiral shortly before his death - preferred to live in Wisbech on his retirement and, moving to the Crescent, he had his Leverington house pulled down. The Hall, meanwhile, had been put up for sale in 1785 after Daniel Swaine's death but, fortunately, found a new owner and continued to be occupied The wife of Rear Admiral Spellman Swaine was Sophia Ann Le Grice

Other eighteenth century collections acquired by the Museum include over fifty objects collected by Spelman Swaine, a mid-shipman on Captain Vancouver’s voyage to the Pacific Coast of North America, and various objects that were originally part of the Leverian Museum (1772-1786).

Although not a manor house, LEVERINGTON HALL, standing in the middle of the village, near the church and school, is the principal house in the parish. It has been supposed, that the original house on this site was Durham's Place, the property and residence of William, second son of Sir Lawrence Everard (fn. 91) (see above-Manors, Fitton Hall). The first authentic owner and occupier of the present house was Robert (d. 1705) son of Thomas Swaine of Wisbech (d. 1639). Robert was living there in1641. (fn. 92) He was a J.P. and became High Sheriff in 1681. He must have succeeded to some of his father's property in 1639, and in the same year he became entitled to substantial benefits under the will of his elder brother Thomas Swaine of Wisbech. (fn. 93) His marriage in 1640 with Mary daughter of William Freeman, merchant, of London and Leigh (Surr.), (fn. 94) may have brought him additional wealth. All this strengthens the belief that it was Robert Swaine who, out of his then abundance, rebuilt Leverington Hall. (fn. 95) He also added considerably to his property at Leverington. He was succeeded by his only surviving son Thomas (1645-1728), a J.P. for the Isle. Thomas's second surviving son, Spelman, succeeded to LeveringtonHall and died in 1761, devising the Hall to his nephew Daniel, a merchant of King's Lynn (d. 1782). Daniel thereupon took up residence at Leverington Hall, and became a J.P. and in 1775 high sheriff. By will dated 1780 he directed his trustees tosell all his lands, and in 1785 Leverington Hall with much other property was offered for sale by auction with the buildings, dovecote (situate near the house, at the south-east corner) and about 38 acres surrounding it. The house (which had beenlet to the Revd. Joseph Plumtree), 38 acres surrounding it, and 32 acres on the opposite side of Church Lane (constituting the entire block between the rectory and the Fencroft house and land belonging to Daniel's nephew Spelman Swaine), were bought by Edward Stone of Tydd St. Mary, who subsequently sold the property to John Johnson. In 1842 Johnson sold the Hall to Thomas Webster of Newton. The latter died in 1862, and by his will (fn. 96) gave Leverington Hall with 140 acres of land in Leverington to his son Matthew Webster. Matthew resided at Leverington Hall. He became involved in financial difficulties, however, as a result of which the property had to be sold in lots by the trustee in liquidation in 1879. The Hall with much land was bought by Henry Sharpe of Leverington, who never himself lived there. The Hall was let

From: 'Wisbech Hundred: Leverington', A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 4: City of Ely; Ely, N. and S. Witchford and Wisbech Hundreds (2002), pp. 186-97. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=21916.Date accessed: 13 August 2006.

The Men who sailed with George Vancouver P - Z

The following men sailed with George Vancouver on the voyage to the Northwest coast of America between 1791 and 1795 on the Chatham and Discovery. (This page was begun in January 2005 and was last amended on 12 December 2008). Robert Pigot Thomas Pitt Peter Puget Edward Roberts James Woodward Scott John Sherriff John Stewart Charles Stuart Spelman Swaine John Sykes Joseph Whidbey

  Robert Pigot

Robert Pigot (1776- ) 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 Thomas Pitt, Lord Camelford (1775-1804) 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.

Peter Puget Peter Puget (1765-1822) 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: 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. 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. Lieutenant's certificate for Peter Puget In pursuance,etc of the xxxxx, we have examined Mr. Peter Puget w o 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) Ship Starting date Quality Y M W D Dunkirk 08 August 1779 Ordinary 0 3 2 0 Syren 05 February 1780 Midshipman 0 10 3 1 Lizard 01 January 1781 Midshipman 1 9 0 1 Resistance 11 September 1782 AB 0 0 0 3 Thetis 05 November 1782 Midshipman 0 6 1 4 Europa 05 September 1783 AB 0 6 2 5 Duke of Portland 11 March 1784 Midshipman 0 4 0 6 Europa 07 July 1784 AB 2 9 3 1 Total 6 11 2 0 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 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: 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. 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: 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". 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. Two 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. 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) Ship Starting date Quality Y M W D Discovery 19 February 1791 AB 1 12 1 4 Discovery 01 February 1793 Midshipman 2 9 3 3 Princess Augusta 04 November 1795 AB 1 0 2 1 Royal Sovereign 19 November 1796 AB 0 0 3 3 Royal Sovereign 13 December 1796 Midshipman 0 2 2 4 Total 6 0 1 1 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 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: Name Born Baptised 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 July 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) 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. 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) Ship Starting date Quality Y M W D Carnatic 29 September AB 0 7 0 2 Nautilus 29 April 1790 AB 0 10 3 6 Chatham 02 March 1791 Midshipman 2 7 3 2 Discovery 08 October 1792 Midshipman 0 4 3 2 Chatham 20 February 1794 AB 1 6 0 3 August 1795 Midshipman 0 2 1 6 Total 6 0 1 0

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) 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. Lieutenant's certificate for John Sheriff In pursuance, etc of the xxxxx, we have examined Mr. John Sheriff 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) Ship Starting date Quality Y M W D Sury 16 March 1779 Ordinary & AB 2 12 0 1 Sphynx 16 February 1782 AB 1 2 2 6 Bellona 15 May 1790 AB 0 0 3 4 Bellona 09 June 1790 Midshipman 0 9 1 6 Chatham 02 March 1791 Master's mate 4 8 3 0 Total 9 7 3 6 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) 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
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. 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) Ship Starting date Quality Y M W D Rose 09 May 1789 Captain's servant 0 12 1 0 Rose 08 May 1790 AB 0 3 1 3 Rose 10 August 1790 Master's mate 0 5 0 4 Discovery 16 January 1791 AB 0 4 3 3 Discovery 01 June 1791 Midshipman 1 8 3 0 Discovery 01 February 1793 AB 0 4 1 1 Discovery 01 June 1793 Master's mate 2 4 1 3 Total 6 4 0 0 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) 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 Spelman Swaine (1769-1848) 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 ÃŽle 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). 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) Ship Starting date Quality Y M W D Crocodile 06 April 1782 Captain's servant 0 4 3 5 Recovery 22 August 1782 Captain's servant 0 0 2 3 Recovery 08 September 1782 Midshipman 0 7 0 2 Carnatic 25 March 1783 Captain's servant 0 11 3 3 Carnatic 20 September 1784 Midshipman 1 1 1 6 Carnatic 02 April 1785 Captain's servant 0 6 3 2 Carnatic 11 October 1785 Midshipman 0 6 3 1 Champion 14 July 1786 Captain's servant 0 1 0 3 Champion 14 August 1786 AB 1 2 1 5 Sandwich 21 October 1787 AB 0 1 1 4 Impregnable 11 December 1787 Midshipman 0 2 2 4 Lowestoffe 23 February 1788 Midshipman 1 11 0 3 Total 7 6 1 0 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) 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. 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) Ship Starting date Quality Y M W D Resource 25 December 1783 Captain's servant 3 4 2 4 Merlin 04 May 1787 Captain's servant 0 12 3 6 Merlin 01 May 1788 AB 0 9 3 1 Royal Charlotte 10 April 1789 midshipman 0 9 2 5 Discovery 06 January 1790 Midshipman 0 6 2 4 Courageux 11 July 1790 Midshipman 0 5 2 6 Discovery 18 December 1790 Shipman & Master's mate 0 5 3 4 Discovery 01 June 1791 AB 1 9 3 0 Discovery 01 March 1793 Master's mate 2 7 2 4 Total 11 7 2 6 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) Joseph Whidbey was born in 1755 though details of his parentage and upbringing are . 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. Return to John Robson's homepage

SWAINE. (Rear-Admiral, 1846. f-p., 27; h-p., 38.) Spelman Swainewas born 1 Jan. 1769, at Lynn Regis, co. Norfolk, and died 14 Jan. 1848, at Wisbeach, co. Cambridge. He was only surviving son of the late Spelman Swaine, Esq., of Leverington, near Wisbeach, by Dorothy, daughter of Walter Robertson, Esq., of Lynn Regis. This officer entered the Navy, in April, 1782, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Crocodile 24, Capt. Albemarle Bertie, stationed in the Channel. In the ensuing Oct., having followed Capt. Bertie as Midshipman into the Recovery 32, he accompanied Lord Howe to the relief of Gibraltar, and was present in the partial action near Cape Sepet. Between 1783 and 1791 he served in succession, chiefly on the Home station, and principally in the capacity of Midshipman, in the Carnatic 74, Capt. Anthony Jas. Pye Molloy, Champion 24, Capt. Wm. Domett, Sandwich 90, Capt. Tonkin, Impregnable 98, Capt. Thos. Pringle, Lowestoffe frigate, Capt. Edm. Dod, Discovery, Capt. Henry Roberts, and Courageux 74, Capt. Alan Gardner. He then went back, as Master’s Mate, to the Discovery, then commanded by Capt. Geo. Vancouver; and while in that vessel, of which he was nominated Acting-Lieutenant in 1792, he visited the Canary Islands, the Cape of Good Hope, New Holland, New Zealand, the Sandwich Islands, and Nootka Sound; and was for nearly two years employed in exploring the north-west coast of America. During his absence from England he was the means, by affording timely assistance, of saving the lives of Capt. Vancouver, Lieut. Peter Puget, a Midshipman, and a boat’s crew, when treacherously attacked by a party of Indians. He was officially promoted on his return home 27 Oct. 1795; appointed, 26 Nov. following and 4 May, 1801, to the Spitfire sloop, Capts. Amherst Morris, Michael Seymour, and Robt. Keen, and Princess Charlotte 38, Capt. Hon. Fras. Farington Gardner, on the Channel and Cork stations; and on 29 April, 1802, was advanced to the rank of Commander. In the Spitfire he assisted at the capture of L’Allégrée, a French vessel laden with ammunition and other warlike stores, six privateers, carrying in the whole 57 guns and 301 men, and a transport armed with 14 guns. Obtaining command, in June, 1802, of the Raven sloop, Capt. Swaine was sent in that vessel with despatches to Tangiers, Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli, and Valette; and in Oct. 1803 he had the honour of leading Lord Nelson’s fleet through the Straits of Bonifaccio to Agincourt Sound, an anchorage among the Madalena Islands, to the northward of Sardinia. The service he rendered on this occasion – the first time the navigation had been attempted by a three-decker – gained him a very high compliment from the hero. On the night of 6 Jan. 1804 the Raven, owing to an unusual current, was wrecked near Mazara, on the coast of Sicily. Her officers and crew were, however, saved by a merchant-vessel; and her Captain had the gratification, on being tried by a court-martial, of being not only acquitted of all blame on account of the disaster, but of being commended for the conduct he had at the time exhibited. From 16 Sept. 1808 until removed to the Philomel sloop, Capt. Swaine commanded the Helicon of 10 guns on the Downs station. In the Philomel he conveyed some military officers to Oporto, a Spanish grandee to Cadiz, and despatches to the Mediterranean, where he was made Post, 17 May, 1810, into the Hind 28. Before, however, he could join that vessel she had returned to England and was broken up. His last appointments were, 3 Aug. 1811 and 28 April, 1814, to the Talbot 20 and Statira 38, employed on the Irish, West India, and North American stations. In the latter frigate, after conveying Major-General Gibbs and other military officers to New Orleans, he was again, 26 Feb. 1815, wrecked near Cuba on a, rock not previously known. He underwent in consequence the customary ordeal of a court-martial, and was fully acquitted. He accepted the rank of Rear-Admiral 1 Oct. 1846.

Rear-Admiral Swaine was a Magistrate and Chief Bailiff of the Isle of Ely. He married, 26 Aug. 1806, Sophia Anne, eldest daughter of the Rev. Chas. Le Grice, of Bury St. Edmunds, co. Suffolk, by whom he has left issue.