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Dying on board ship abroad (18th century)

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 12:10 pm
by jon_ystrad
William Gough was Captain of the Penzance (44) from 31st August 1758. He died on board her at Quebec on 2nd July 1760. This information comes from the Ynyscedwyn estate papers at the West Glamorgan Archive Service.

I have not been able to determine whether William Gough was buried at sea, or at a cemetery on land, since the British were by July 1760 firmly in the possession of Quebec City. The British casualties from the Battle of Sainte Foy, in April 1760, and those from the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, the previous year, must surely have been buried somewhere. It is possible that a naval captain dying in July 1760 might have also been buried with them?

I note that there is no "Discharged dead" for him, and there seems to have been a period where the Penzance is not listed with a captain or commanding officer after his death.

Re: Dying on board ship abroad (18th century)

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2021 9:06 am
by Cy
The lack of a 'discharged dead' is because that feature only exists on the ship records, not the individuals. It is there for the Penzance.

The lack of a commanding officer after his death is because no commission for one has yet been uncovered, indeed there may not have been one. In these circumstances it would be normal for the 1st lieutenant, John Rogers, to perform the duties as acting captain.

Re: Dying on board ship abroad (18th century)

Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 9:01 am
by jon_ystrad
The Scots Magazine, 6th October 1760, presumably quoting The Gazette, says

"Commanders of Men of War - Captain John Boyd, son of Thomas Boyd of Picton, Esq, of the Penzance, of 44 guns, now in the river Saint Lawrence, advanced to that command by Lord Colville, on the death of Captain Gough"

It looks like Colville made the appointment almost straight away, and that it was later confirmed by the Admiralty, hence the later date for Boyd's commission here.

Best Regards
Jon