21 Facts About Henry Prescott

Admiral Sir Henry Prescott was an officer of the Royal Navy who served during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, and was later the Governor of the Newfoundland Colony.

Henry Prescott afterwards took part in the Egyptian Campaign of 1801; and on 17 February 1802, while serving under Lord Keith in the 80-gun ship Foudroyant, was appointed acting-lieutenant of the brig Vincejo, Captain James Prevost, and his commission was confirmed on 28 April 1802.

Henry Prescott then served on the frigate Unicorn, Captain Lucius Ferdinand Hardyman, in the North Sea from 26 April 1803.

Henry Prescott subsequently served aboard Lord Eldon, Captain George B Whinyates; the 74-gun Ajax, Captain Henry Blackwood; and the 98-gun Ocean, flagship of Lord Collingwood, all in the Mediterranean.

Henry Prescott first drove a French 20-gun brig to seek refuge under shore batteries.

Henry Prescott attempted to entice her out, and although she was supported by 11 Neapolitan gun-boats, she refused.

Henry Prescott next took part in the defence of Sicily, coming into frequent contact with the flotilla equipped by Joachim Murat for his attempted invasion of the island.

Henry Prescott led in the boats of the three British ships, and despite heavy enemy fire, captured or destroyed all the vessels.

Two days later Henry Prescott returned to Amantea with a detachment of marines from Cumberland, destroyed several vessels, and captured a gun under a heavy fire of musketry, and having only three men wounded.

Henry Prescott was rewarded for his actions at Amantea by receiving promotion to post-captain with seniority backdated to 25 July 1810, but did not leave Weazle until February 1811.

Henry Prescott was appointed to command of the 20-gun sloop Fylla on 7 August 1811 off the Channel Islands.

Henry Prescott was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath on 4 June 1815.

Henry Prescott returned to sea duty on 6 April 1821 in command of the 46-gun frigate Aurora as senior officer on the coast of Brazil and spent 18 months in the Pacific protecting British interests during the Spanish American wars of independence.

On 24 September 1834, Henry Prescott was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Newfoundland and its dependencies, He arrived in St John's in November, into a turbulent situation riven by political and religious acrimony.

Henry Prescott attempted to mediate between the opposing factions, but could make few decisions without angering one or the other.

Henry Prescott attempted to resign in January 1839, but this was not accepted.

Henry Prescott was not a trained administrator, but made several suggestions to improve the governance of the colony.

Henry Prescott was awarded the Captain's Good Service Pension on 1 April 1844, and was promoted to rear admiral on 24 April 1847, serving on the Board of Admiralty as Second Naval Lord from 20 July before being appointed Admiral-Superintendent at Portsmouth Naval Dockyard on 15 December and serving there until 1852.

Henry Prescott was promoted to vice-admiral on 1 May 1854, made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath on 5 February 1856, promoted to admiral on 11 May 1860, officially retiring from the Navy on 9 June 1860.

Henry Prescott was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath on 2 June 1869, and for a time was Justice of the Peace for Surrey.

Henry Prescott died at his home No 7 Leinster Gardens, Bayswater, London, on 18 November 1874, and is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery.