In
our Library - where Books are free
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Chapter 3 - 1803 - 1814
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From There Go the Ships by George Shirley
Page 53
abolished, May 25th, 1837, and was discharged the
service on a pension of eighty-five pounds a year, the highest allowed,
my whole service being forty-seven years, one month, three weeks,
and three days, spent in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, which
is divided into ten years, three weeks, and three days from my entrance
as a boy until made warrant officer. Then seventeen years, eight
months, three weeks and a day in active commissioned service, and
seventeen years, eleven months, and three days of ordinary or harbour
service.
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At my discharge I was sixty-two years
and nearly six months of age, quite serviceable, having been healthy
all my life, thank the Lord.
Thus ends the log, full of interest to me, because it brings back
to my memory the tales, yarns, and ghost stories that I listened
to on winter nights around the galley fire, or summer's eve around
the rudder head in the wardroom. I remember his orderly habits,
and punctuality to duty, and his love of truth, so that his word
was to be depended upon. Sir John S. Pechell, who was his captain
twice in the Cleopatra and in the San Domingo, knew him, and was
one of the Lords of the Admiralty that got him the appointment
at the Royal Naval College, and knew he was qualified. Subjoined
is a copy of his letter : -
Admiralty, August 25th, 1831,
" Mr. S -
" I understand that the situation of Gunner to the Royal
Naval College is vacant, by the super - annuation
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© Peter Smith 2008
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