Philip Charles Durham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Philip Durham
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Portrait as a Vice Admiral (about 1820)
Artist - Sir Henry Raeburn |
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| Born | 29 July 1763 Largo, Fife, Scotland |
| Died | 2 April 1845 (aged 81) Naples, Italy |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | Leewards Islands Station Portsmouth Command |
| Battles/wars | American War of Independence French Revolutionary War Napoleonic Wars |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath |
Admiral Sir Philip Charles Henderson Calderwood Durham (born 29 July 1763 – died 2 April 1845) was an officer in the Royal Navy. He had a long and important career, serving during the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary War, and the Napoleonic Wars.
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Philip Charles Durham was born in Largo, Fife, Scotland, in 1763. He came from a rich family and joined the navy when he was 14 years old in 1777. His first ship was HMS Trident.
His first year at sea was tough because the ship's captain was very strict. In 1778, Durham left that ship and joined HMS Edgar.
On Edgar, he saw his first battle during the Great Siege of Gibraltar, where British forces defended against Spanish and French attacks. He then caught the eye of Admiral Richard Kempenfelt, serving with him on HMS Victory and HMS Royal George.
A Ship Sinks
On 29 August 1782, Durham was on duty when the Royal George suddenly and tragically sank. The ship was tilted for repairs when it went down at Spithead. Durham was on deck and managed to jump overboard and swim to safety. Sadly, the Admiral and over 800 other people died.
After this, Durham became a lieutenant on HMS Union. He continued to serve at the siege of Gibraltar. Later, he sailed to the West Indies and down the African coast on HMS Raisonnable. He then spent two years in France, learning to speak French very well.
Becoming a Commander and Captain
In 1790, Durham was promoted to Commander and took charge of HMS Daphne. In 1791, he moved to HMS Cygnet.
On 12 February 1793, Durham took command of a small ship called HMS Spitfire. The very next day, he captured a French private warship called Afrique. This was the first French ship with the new French flag (La tricolore) captured during the war. For this success, Lloyd's of London gave him a special award.
Durham was promoted to post captain (a full captain) on 24 June 1793. He commanded the frigate HMS Narcissus and then HMS Hind.
Leading a Convoy
On Hind, he safely led a large group of 157 merchant ships from the Mediterranean through enemy waters. This achievement earned him praise and rewards. In 1796, he took command of HMS Anson, which was the largest frigate in the Navy. He fought in many battles on Anson, including the Battle of Donegal in October 1798.
Battle of Trafalgar and Later Career
In 1799, Durham married Lady Charlotte Matilda Bruce. He continued to serve in British waters until a peace treaty was signed. When fighting started again, Durham was given command of HMS Defiance.
He joined Admiral Sir Robert Calder's fleet in 1804 and took part in the Battle of Cape Finisterre. After this battle, he was told off for being "too eager" in chasing the enemy.
Trafalgar Hero
A few months later, Durham and Defiance were part of the famous Battle of Trafalgar. His ship headed straight for the Spanish flagship, Principe de Asturias. However, a captured British ship, the French Berwick, blocked their way.
Defiance deliberately crashed into the Berwick, tearing off most of the French ship's front. Then, Defiance fought a long gun battle with the French ship Aigle. The Berwick sank later.
During the fight with Aigle, a young officer named Jack Spratt bravely swam between the ships and boarded the French vessel alone. He fought until more British sailors could join him, and they captured the Aigle. Durham was wounded in this battle.
After the battle, his damaged ship, which had 17 men killed and 53 wounded, returned to England. Durham was a banner bearer at Lord Nelson's funeral.
Admiral and Member of Parliament
After recovering from his wounds, Durham received awards for his bravery at Trafalgar. He commanded HMS Renown until 1810, when he was made a Rear-Admiral.
In 1814, he took command of the Leeward Islands Station in the Caribbean. On his way there, he captured two enemy frigates. He stayed in this role until the war ended in 1815, when the French West Indies surrendered to him. He was knighted and given the title Knight Commander (KCB).
In 1817, after his first wife died, he married Anne Isabella Henderson, a wealthy heiress. He became a Vice Admiral in 1819. He was good friends with King George III, who enjoyed Durham's exciting stories.
In 1830, Durham became a full Admiral. He was also elected as a Member of Parliament for Devizes in 1834. From 1836 to 1839, he was the naval Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, a very important position.
He added the names Henderson and Calderwood to his own after his second marriage and when he inherited his mother's family estate. After his second wife died in 1844, Durham traveled to Rome. He became ill with bronchitis and went to Naples to try and get a ship back to Britain. However, he died there on 2 April 1845. His body was brought back to Largo, Scotland, to be buried in his family's tomb.
Memorial at Largo Church
A memorial at Largo church in Scotland honors Sir Philip Charles Henderson Calderwood Durham. It states that he was born on 29 July 1763 and joined the Royal Navy at age 14. He became a full captain in 1793. The memorial praises his activity, bravery, good judgment, and dedication, noting that his many captures and successes were recognized publicly. He became a Rear Admiral in 1810 and commanded in the West Indies from 1813 to 1815. He also commanded at Portsmouth from 1837 to 1839. He served as a Member of Parliament for Queenborough and Devizes. He died in Naples on 2 April 1845 and was buried in the church.
Images for kids
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Admiral Sir Philip H Calderwood Durham (1763-1845), by John Wood 1844, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
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Admiral Sir Philip Charles Henderson Calderwood Durham, by Sir Francis Grant about 1830. [National Galleries Scotland].
