Erasmus Ommanney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir
Erasmus Ommanney
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Portrait by Stephen Pearce
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| Born | 22 May 1814 London, Middlesex, England |
| Died | 21 December 1904 (aged 90) Southsea, Hampshire, England |
| Buried |
Old Mortlake Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Service years | 1826–1875 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Wars |
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Sir Erasmus Ommanney (born May 22, 1814 – died December 21, 1904) was a brave officer in the Royal Navy. He was also an important Arctic explorer during the Victorian era, a time when Queen Victoria ruled Britain. He is remembered for his discoveries in the Arctic and his long service at sea.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Erasmus Ommanney was born in London in 1814. He was one of many children in his family. His father, Sir Francis Molyneux Ommanney, was a naval agent and a Member of Parliament.
The Ommanney family had a strong history in the Royal Navy. Many of Erasmus's relatives were admirals, including his grandfather and uncles. He was even named after Admiral Sir Erasmus Gower, who was a mentor to his uncle.
A Career at Sea
Ommanney joined the Royal Navy when he was just 12 years old in August 1826. He served under his uncle, Captain John Ommanney, on the ship HMS Albion. In December 1826, his ship helped protect Portugal from a Spanish invasion.
First Battle and Recognition
The Albion then sailed to the Mediterranean Sea. On October 20, 1827, at only 13 years old, Ommanney fought in the Battle of Navarino. This was a big naval battle. Years later, in 1890, Ommanney was the only surviving officer from that battle. He gave the captured flag of the Turkish Commander-in-Chief to King George I of Greece.
After passing his naval exams in 1833, Ommanney was promoted to lieutenant in December 1835. He was assigned to HMS Cove. This ship was sent to Baffin Bay to rescue whalers stuck in the ice. The Admiralty praised him for this dangerous mission.
Becoming a Captain
Ommanney was promoted to commander in October 1840. From 1841 to 1844, he served on HMS Vesuvius in the Mediterranean Sea. During this time, he helped protect British people during French conflicts in Morocco.
He became a captain in November 1846. From 1847 to 1848, he helped with relief efforts during the Irish Famine. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 1845. In 1848, he also became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).
Arctic Exploration
Searching for Sir John Franklin
In 1850, Captain Horatio Thomas Austin chose Ommanney as his second-in-command for an expedition. Their mission was to search for the lost explorer Sir John Franklin in the Arctic. Ommanney's ship was called HMS Assistance.
The expedition used ships and sledges to explore the Arctic. On August 25, 1850, Ommanney made an important discovery. He found the first signs of Franklin's expedition at Beechey Island. He found "fragments of stores and ragged clothing" and an old camp. He also found a large pile of stones, called a cairn. These clues showed that Franklin's ships had spent a winter there. The expedition returned to England in October 1851.
Coastguard and Crimean War
In December 1851, Ommanney became Deputy Controller-General of HM Coastguard. He held this job until the Crimean War began in 1854. During the war, he commanded HMS Eurydice. He led a squadron in the White Sea, where he blocked trade and destroyed Russian government property.
He also served in the Baltic Sea. His actions there included attacking Russian positions and gunboats.
Family Life
In 1844, Ommanney married Amelia (Emily) Mary. They had a son, Erasmus Austin Ommanney, who also joined the Royal Navy. Their son later became a vicar in Southsea. After Amelia died, Ommanney married Mary Stone in 1862.
Honors and Final Years
In March 1867, Ommanney was made a Knight of the Order of the Bath. He was promoted to vice admiral in 1871 and retired in 1875. In 1877, he became an admiral on the retired list. He was knighted for his scientific work in the Arctic.
He remained very interested in geography and naval matters. He attended meetings of the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal United Services Institute. He was also a JP for Hampshire.
In 1902, King Edward VII honored him again. Ommanney was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB). He received this honor on the royal yacht Victoria and Albert.
Sir Erasmus Ommanney died on December 21, 1904, at his son's home in Southsea. He was buried in Old Mortlake Burial Ground in London.
Legacy
Two places in the Arctic are named after him:
- Ommanney Bay on the west side of Prince of Wales Island in Canada.
- Erasmus Ommanney Island (Остров Оммани) in Arctic Russia.
