Sir Francis Geary, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Francis Geary, Bt
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 1709 Ceredigion |
| Died | 7 February 1796 |
| Allegiance |  Great Britain |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | HMS Squirrel HMS Dolphin HMS Chester HMS Culloden HMS Somerset HMS Lenox HMS Resolution Nore Command Portsmouth Command |
Sir Francis Geary, 1st Baronet (born 1709 – died 7 February 1796) was an important officer in the Royal Navy. He served during three major wars: the War of the Austrian Succession, the Seven Years' War, and the American War of Independence. He eventually became an Admiral, which is a very high rank in the navy.
Contents
Francis Geary was born in 1709 in Ceredigion, Wales. His family moved to England soon after he was born. He grew up in places like Ercall Magna and Cheddington. Before joining the navy, he was known for his skill in change ringing, which is a special way of ringing church bells. He was part of a group called the Ancient Society of College Youths.
In 1727, at age 18, Geary joined the navy as a volunteer on a ship called HMS Revenge. He sailed to the Baltic Sea with a group of ships led by Admiral Sir John Norris. Later, he sailed with Sir Charles Wager to help protect Gibraltar. For the next 15 years, he worked his way up, becoming a midshipman and then a lieutenant.
First Ship Commands
Geary was promoted to command his first ship, HMS Squirrel, on June 30, 1742. He sailed near Madeira and captured a Spanish privateer (a private ship allowed to attack enemy ships). He also captured and burned another Spanish armed ship.
In February 1743, he captured a French merchant ship called Pierre Joseph. This ship was carrying valuable goods like silver and dyes, which became a "prize" (captured enemy property). Geary then commanded HMS Dolphin briefly before moving to HMS Chester in February 1744.
While on the Chester, he and another ship, HMS Sunderland, captured a French warship called Elephant after a short fight. Geary also helped capture eight French merchant ships later that year. He was part of a court-martial (a military trial) in February 1745. He then went to Louisbourg to help Commodore Peter Warren attack the fortress. He was sent home with important messages, so he didn't get a share of the rewards from that battle.
By this time, Geary had a powerful supporter, John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford, who was in charge of the navy. Because of this support, Geary was given command of the large 74-gun ship HMS Culloden. He was sent to help Rear-Admiral Edward Hawke in the Bay of Biscay during the War of the Austrian Succession. He returned in 1748.
After the war, he was promoted to Commodore and put in charge of the ships in the River Medway. He left this command in September 1748. That same month, he married Mary Bartholomew. He then spent some time in retirement, living at his estate called Polesden Lacey, which he had bought in 1747.
Returning to Service
When tensions grew before the Seven Years' War began, Geary returned to duty in 1755. He was assigned to the 70-gun ship HMS Somerset. He sailed to North America with Admiral Edward Boscawen's fleet and returned in November.
Later in 1755, Geary joined the Channel Squadron (a group of ships protecting the English Channel) under Sir Edward Hawke. In 1756 and early 1757, Geary was part of the court-martial of Admiral John Byng. In April, Geary's ship Somerset, along with HMS Rochester, captured several privateer ships.
In February 1758, Geary took command of HMS Lenox. The next year, he moved to HMS Resolution. He sailed the Resolution as part of Hawke's fleet. Soon, he was given command of his own group of ten large warships. He was promoted to Rear-Admiral of the Blue in May or June. In July, he moved his flag (his special admiral's flag) to the 90-gun ship HMS Sandwich. He later moved to HMS Royal George while the Sandwich was being repaired, returning to the Sandwich in September.
Geary continued to patrol off the French coast with Hawke's fleet. In November, the Sandwich lost its main mast in a storm, so Geary had to stay in port. This meant he could not take part in Hawke's big victory at the Battle of Quiberon Bay on November 20.
Geary spent the rest of 1759 and part of 1760 patrolling near Ushant. After a break, he sailed again in April to stop a French group of ships gathering at Rochefort. These French ships were planning a trip to the East Indies. Geary patrolled the port until the French gave up their plan. He then rejoined Hawke and returned to Britain in October. He became the Port Admiral at Spithead, flying his flag on HMS Royal Sovereign. He helped prepare for the expedition against Belle Île and for Sir George Pocock's expedition against Cuba.
Rising Through the Ranks
Geary was promoted to Vice-Admiral of the Blue on October 21, 1762. He stayed at Spithead, and for a short time, he was the Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. He retired again in 1763 when the war ended.
He returned to service in November 1769, becoming the Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth. When tensions with Spain increased, he was promoted to Vice-Admiral of the Red on October 17, 1770. He retired again when the tensions eased and the navy was reduced in size.
Even though he was not actively serving, he continued to be promoted because of his long service. He became Admiral of the Blue on March 31, 1775, and Admiral of the White on January 29, 1778.
In May 1780, after Admiral Sir Charles Hardy died, Geary was called back to duty, even though he was not in good health. He raised his flag on the very large 100-gun ship HMS Victory. He took command of the Channel Fleet, with Richard Kempenfelt as his main captain. Geary sailed out, patrolling near Brest, hoping to stop the French and Spanish fleets from joining together. On July 9, he saw sails and chased them, thinking they were enemy warships. It turned out to be an enemy merchant convoy (a group of trading ships). Geary attacked and captured twelve of the merchant ships, while the rest escaped in the fog.
Retirement and Passing
Geary returned to port in August 1780 but became ill. He went back to his home at Polesden Lacey. Feeling he was not well enough to command, he asked for and received permission to resign.
He was given the title of baronet (a special honor) on August 17, 1782. Sir Francis Geary passed away at the age of 86 on February 7, 1796.
Family Life
Sir Francis Geary married Mary Bartholomew in 1747. They had two sons and three daughters. Their oldest son, also named Francis, joined the army. He became a Cornet (a junior officer) in the 16th The Queen's Lancers. Sadly, he was killed in North America in 1776. Mary, Sir Francis's wife, passed away on August 28, 1778. Their second son, William, inherited his father's baronetcy when Sir Francis died.
Images for kids
-
Mary Bartholomew,
portrait by Peter van Bleeck -
Elizabeth Geary, later Lady Twisden
.jpg)
