23 Facts About Fleetwood Pellew

Admiral Sir Fleetwood Broughton Reynolds Pellew CB KCH was a Royal Navy officer who served in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

Fleetwood Pellew was the son of Captain Edward Pellew, who later became an admiral and first Viscount Exmouth.

The elder Pellew used his influence within the navy to secure positions for his two eldest sons in the service.

Fleetwood Pellew received his first command when he was just 17, but seemed to justify it with his gallantry and daring, which won him the admiration of his father.

Fleetwood Pellew provoked a mutiny in 1814 and though he returned to sea in 1818, he received no further active commands after 1822 for thirty years.

Fleetwood Pellew briefly returned to service with the rank of rear-admiral and a post as commander-in-chief in the East Indies and China, but soon provoked another mutiny aboard his flagship, and was recalled.

Fleetwood Pellew's father was promoted through the ranks of the service during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, and used his influence to find positions at sea for Fleetwood and his elder brother Pownoll.

Fleetwood Pellew placed his ship ag't the Dutch frigate and batteries with equal skill and led in the boats to Boarding.

My heart swelled when I heard a general shout on board Culloden - Well done Fleetwood Pellew, well done, bravo - was the cry all around me.

Fleetwood Pellew was confirmed in his rank of post captain on 14 October 1808, and went on to see action in the Invasion of Ile de France in 1810 and the reduction of Java in 1811.

Fleetwood Pellew sailed the Phaeton home in August 1812, escorting a convoy of East Indiamen.

The proceedings eventually broke down on a technicality, but it was widely commented on that Fleetwood Pellew's harshness had provoked the men.

Fleetwood Pellew continued to receive promotions and awards according to his seniority.

Fleetwood Pellew was given a knighthood and was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Guelphic Order in January 1836.

Fleetwood Pellew was made a naval aide-de-camp to the Queen, promoted to rear-admiral on 9 November 1846, and in December 1852 he finally returned to active service with his appointment as commander-in-chief of the East Indies and China Station.

Fleetwood Pellew's appointment caused some concern, with questions raised over the suitability of sending Pellew, considering his age and past background, and the unhealthy climate and tense diplomatic situation following the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Burmese War.

The crew were apparently in a mutinous mood, so Fleetwood Pellew ordered them to beat to quarters.

Fleetwood Pellew was duly recalled by the Admiralty, never to serve at sea again.

Fleetwood Pellew had been promoted to vice-admiral on 22 April 1853, and a full admiral on 13 February 1858.

Sir Fleetwood Pellew died at Marseilles on 28 July 1861 at the age of 71.

Fleetwood Pellew had married Harriet Webster, daughter of Sir Godfrey Webster by his first wife, Elizabeth, in 1816; the couple had a son, Thomas Chaplin, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Harriet Bettina Frances, who married Lord Horatio Walpole in 1841, thus becoming Lady Walpole and eventually Countess of Orford, when her husband succeeded to the earldom of Orford in 1858.

Harriet died in 1849, and Fleetwood Pellew married Cecile Drummond de Melfort in 1851, but the two divorced in 1859.

Admiral Fleetwood Pellew was buried with his first wife, Harriet, in the English Cemetery, Florence.