Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Figures and Tables
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1 ‘Interest’ and Ability: The Route to Post Captain
- 2 The Tools of the Trade: A Captain's Duties Regarding His Ship's Fabric and Equipment, and Her Influence on His Career
- 3 ‘The People’: Manning the Navy during the War
- 4 Expertise and Courage: Opportunities for Individuals
- 5 Management: The Admiralty and Its Captains
- 6 Success or Failure: The Parameters
- 7 Conclusion
- Appendices
- Bibliography
- Index
7 - Conclusion
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 February 2013
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Figures and Tables
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1 ‘Interest’ and Ability: The Route to Post Captain
- 2 The Tools of the Trade: A Captain's Duties Regarding His Ship's Fabric and Equipment, and Her Influence on His Career
- 3 ‘The People’: Manning the Navy during the War
- 4 Expertise and Courage: Opportunities for Individuals
- 5 Management: The Admiralty and Its Captains
- 6 Success or Failure: The Parameters
- 7 Conclusion
- Appendices
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
The average age of the captains in the cohort on being made post in 1757 was 30, assuming that the men were close to 20 years old when they received their first commissions. The physical and mental health of two captains, Shurmur and Knackston, respectively, effectively curtailed their career after promotion. Although Robert Man was the only captain to die in action, two others died before the end of the war. A further twelve captains did not serve at sea after the war, so that for half the cohort (18/36) the Seven Years' War was effectively the beginning and the end of their naval career, either voluntarily or through incapacity. Of these men Medows was the most obviously fortunate, retiring to attend to his vast inheritance, while eight died in their thirties or forties.
Ten men (28 per cent) continued in employment after the peace without promotion to Commodore, several serving with distinction in the American war. Three men, Martin, Ourry and Wallis, became Commissioners of the Navy. The remaining eight men (22 per cent) were promoted to Commodore: Harrison and Walsingham died in their early forties and Affleck, Elliot, Hotham, Kempenfelt, Lindsay and Peyton went on to achieve flag rank. By 1790 only Hotham and Peyton were still active in the Navy, with Martin Controller of the Navy from 1790.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- British Naval Captains of the Seven Years' WarThe View from the Quarterdeck, pp. 228 - 234Publisher: Boydell & BrewerPrint publication year: 2012