Edward Boys (Royal Navy officer) facts for kids
Edward Boys (1785–1866) was an English sea captain who had an exciting career in the Royal Navy. He is best known for his daring escape from French captivity during the Napoleonic Wars.
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Edward Boys was born in 1785. His father was John Boys, a well-known farmer. Edward joined the navy in 1796 when he was just 11 years old.
He served in different areas, including the North Sea and near the coast of Ireland. In June 1802, he was assigned to a frigate, a type of warship, called the HMS Phoebe.
Captured by the French
On August 4, 1803, Edward Boys was captured by the French. This happened while he was in charge of a "prize," which was a ship captured from the enemy. He remained a prisoner for six long years.
During his time as a prisoner, Edward made many brave and clever attempts to escape. Finally, he succeeded in breaking free from captivity.
Return to Service and Later Life
After his amazing escape, Edward returned to England. He was promoted to lieutenant. He then served mostly in the West Indies until the war ended.
On July 8, 1814, he became a commander. However, because the navy was made smaller after the war, he did not get to serve on a ship again. From 1837 to 1841, he worked as the superintendent of the dockyard in Deal.
Edward Boys retired on July 1, 1851, with the rank of captain. He passed away in London on July 6, 1866.
His Famous Book
Soon after his escape, Edward Boys wrote down his adventures. He wrote this for his family while he was in the West Indies. He kept it private for a while. He worried it might cause trouble for his French friends who helped him.
In 1827, he was convinced to publish his story. The book was called Narrative of a Captivity and Adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803-9. It became a very popular book.
This book was so interesting that it even inspired other writers. The author of the famous novel Peter Simple used parts of Edward Boys's story for his hero's escape.
Edward Boys also wrote another book in 1831. It was called Remarks on the Practicability and Advantages of a Sandwich or Downs Harbour. This book discussed ideas for building a harbor.
Family Legacy
Edward Boys had a son named Henry Boys. Henry also became a respected naval officer. He reached the rank of Admiral. Henry Boys held important positions in the navy. He was the superintendent of the Royal Naval College at Portsmouth. He also served as the director of naval ordnance.
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