Hugh Palliser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Hugh Palliser
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Palliser c. 1775
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| Born | 26 February 1723 Kirk Deighton, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 19 March 1796 (aged 73) Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, England |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Service/ |
Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Years of service | 1735–1796 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | HMS Weazel HMS Captain HMS Sutherland HMS Sheerness HMS Yarmouth HMS Seahorse HMS Bristol HMS Eagle HMS Shrewsbury HMS Guernsey Newfoundland Station Comptroller of the Navy Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty Greenwich Hospital |
| Battles/wars | |
Sir Hugh Palliser (born February 26, 1723 – died March 19, 1796) was an important officer in the Royal Navy. He became an Admiral and was known for his long career at sea.
As captain of the ship HMS Eagle, he won a battle against a French ship in 1757. Later, he served as the Governor of Newfoundland. He also held high positions in the navy, like Controller of the Navy and First Naval Lord.
During the American Revolutionary War, he was involved in a disagreement with another admiral, Augustus Keppel. This was about their actions during the Battle of Ushant in 1778. Palliser's actions were officially reviewed, but he was later found to have acted correctly. After retiring, he became the Governor of Greenwich Hospital.
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Hugh Palliser was born in Kirk Deighton, England. He was the only son of Hugh Palliser and Mary Robinson. His family owned land in both Yorkshire and Ireland. Sadly, his parents passed away when he was young. Relatives likely raised him and his sisters.
He joined the navy in 1735 when he was just 12 years old. He started as a midshipman on HMS Aldborough. His uncle, Nicholas Robinson, was the commander of this ship. Palliser followed his uncle to other ships, including HMS Kennington and HMS Essex.
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In 1741, he passed his lieutenant's exam and was promoted. He continued to serve on Essex. In 1746, he took command of HMS Weazel. Later that year, he became a post-captain and was given command of HMS Captain. He sailed to the West Indies with Commodore Edward Legge.
In 1747, an accident happened on his ship, HMS Sutherland. An accidental fire in the ship's arms chest caused an explosion. Palliser was badly wounded, with several balls hitting his back, hip, and shoulder. Two other sailors died. He returned to England to recover. The injury left him with a limp and constant pain, which eventually contributed to his death.
He returned to duty in 1748, commanding HMS Sheerness. He sailed to the East Indies to share news of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. This treaty ended Britain's part in the War of the Austrian Succession. After this, he commanded HMS Yarmouth and then HMS Seahorse.
In 1755, Palliser was given command of a convoy of ships. These ships were moving British Army soldiers to the American colonies. This happened just before the Seven Years' War began. Palliser chose a new, safer route across the Atlantic. This smart navigation earned him praise from British leaders.
Serving in the Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War officially began in 1755. In October of that year, Palliser took command of the 58-gun HMS Eagle. His ship fought and defeated the French ship Duc d'Aquitain in May 1757. After this battle, Eagle needed repairs. Palliser then moved to command the 74-gun HMS Shrewsbury. This ship was part of the Channel Fleet under George Anson.
In 1758, he captured several French ships near Brest. In 1759, Palliser helped the British capture Quebec City. He led the sailors who landed and took control of the Lower Town. In 1760, he was sent to the Mediterranean Sea. His mission was to chase a small French fleet that had left Toulon. He successfully trapped the French ships in several ports in Turkey.
In 1761, Palliser cleverly captured a Danish merchant ship near Sardinia. This ship was part of a convoy escorted by a Dano-Norwegian warship. Denmark-Norway was neutral in the war. However, Palliser had information that the Danish ships were secretly carrying goods for French merchants. He managed to stop this without firing a single shot.
In 1762, Palliser led a group of four ships to retake St. John's, Newfoundland. But by the time he arrived, the British had already taken control after the Battle of Signal Hill.
Governor of Newfoundland and Later Roles
In 1764, Palliser was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Newfoundland. He commanded HMS Guernsey and several smaller ships. He encountered a French force that was also regulating fishing in the area. Palliser noticed they had changed their maps to claim more territory than agreed upon in the peace treaty. The French complained about Palliser to the British government. However, he showed enough maps and evidence to prove his actions were correct.
Palliser strongly supported the fisheries in Newfoundland. He saw them as a way to train skilled sailors for the Royal Navy. He worked to make sure the Treaty of Paris (1763) rules were followed. These rules limited French fishing rights. He also tried to limit new settlements in Newfoundland. This was to encourage the fishing industry based in Britain.
Palliser remained Governor of Newfoundland until 1768. In 1770, he became the Comptroller of the Navy. In the same year, he joined the Trinity House. This organization oversees British lighthouses and advises the government on naval matters.
In 1773, Palliser was made a Baronet, a special honor. In 1774, he was elected to Parliament for Scarborough. He was promoted to rear-admiral in 1775. He also joined the Board of Admiralty as First Naval Lord. In 1778, he was promoted to vice-admiral. He left the Admiralty Board in 1779.
Palliser's Act: Supporting Fisheries
Palliser was very involved in supporting fisheries and training sailors. In 1775, he helped create a new law to encourage and manage fishing in Newfoundland. This law is often called Palliser's Act. Its full name was "An act for the encouragement of the Fisheries carried on, from Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Dominions in Europe, and for securing the return of the fishermen, sailors, and others employed in the said fisheries, to the ports thereof, at the end of the fishing season."
This act had an interesting effect on families in Newfoundland. It required fishing producers to pay their workers in advance for the fishing season. This meant producers preferred to hire family members. This made women's work at home very important for the family's economic success.
Friendship with James Cook
James Cook, the famous explorer, served under Palliser early in his career. Cook was a Master's Mate on HMS Eagle from 1755 to 1758. Palliser likely supported Cook's promotion to Master in 1757. Both men were at the siege of Quebec. Cook helped by charting the area for the British landing.
After the Treaty of Paris, Cook was tasked with mapping Newfoundland. As Governor, Palliser strongly supported Cook's mapping work. He also helped publish Cook's famous map of Newfoundland. Later, when Palliser was Comptroller, he supported Cook's first voyage of exploration in 1768, and his later journeys. Cook named several places after his "worthy friend," including Cape Palliser, Palliser Bay, and Palliser Isles. After Cook's death, Palliser built a memorial to him at his estate, The Vache, in Buckinghamshire.
Later Life and Passing
Sir Hugh Palliser passed away on March 19, 1796, at his estate, The Vache. He was buried on March 26, 1796, at the local church, where a memorial stands in his honor. His great-nephew, Hugh Palliser Walters, inherited his special title, the Palliser Baronetcy. Palliser's son, George Thomas, inherited The Vache estate.
