Geoffrey Thomas Phipps Hornby
Encyclopedia
Admiral of the Fleet
Sir Geoffrey Thomas Phipps Hornby GCB (February 10, 1825 – March 3, 1895), was a British
naval officer.
, elder brother of James John Hornby
, the first cousin and brother-in-law of Edward Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby, by a daughter of Lieutenant-General Burgoyne
, commonly distinguished as "Saratoga" Burgoyne.
At the age of twelve he was sent to sea in the flagship of Sir Robert Stopford, with whom he saw the capture of Acre
in November 1840. He afterwards served in the flagship of Rear-Admiral Josceline Percy at the Cape of Good Hope
, was flag-lieutenant to his father in the Pacific, and came home as a commander. When the ministry of Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby
, fell in December 1852, young Hornby was promoted to be captain. Early in 1853 he married, and as the Derby connexion put him out of favour with ministry of George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen
, and especially with Sir James Graham, the First Lord of the Admiralty, he settled down in Sussex
as manager of his father's property.
until 1858, when he was sent out to China
to take command of the Tribune frigate and convey a body of marines to Vancouver Island
, where the dispute with the United States
about the San Juan Islands
was threatening to become very bitter. As senior naval officer there Hornby's moderation, temper and tact did much to smooth over matters, and a temporary arrangement for joint occupation of the island was concluded. He afterwards commanded the Neptune in the Mediterranean under Sir William Fanshawe Martin, was flag-captain to Rear-Admiral Sydney Dacres
in the Channel, was commodore of the squadron on the west coast of Africa, and, being promoted to rear-admiral in January 1869, commanded the flying squadron for a couple of years.
and in 1874 he was made Second Naval Lord
. It was early in 1877 that he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet
, where his skill in manoeuvring the fleet, his power as a disciplinarian, and the tact and determination with which he conducted the foreign relations at the time of the Russian advance on Constantinople, won for him the distinction of Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. He returned home in 1880 with the character of being perhaps the most able commander on the active list of the navy.
His later appointments were to the Royal Naval Academy
in Portsmouth
as president, and afterwards as Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
. On hauling down his flag he was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, and in May 1888 was promoted to be admiral of the fleet. From 1886 he was principal naval aide-de-camp
to Queen Victoria
, and in that capacity, and as an admiral of the fleet, was appointed to the staff of the German emperor Wilhelm II during his visits to England in 1889 and 1890. He died, after a short illness, on 3 March 1895.
in South Africa
in 1900. His life was written by his daughter, Mrs Fred. Egerton, (1896).
Although almost his entire career was spent in peacetime, Hornby was regarded as not only an able administrator but also a brilliant handler of ships who did most to evolve new tactics as the navy finally abandoned sail for steam power, turret
ships, and the threat of the torpedo
. Sir John Fisher, who served under him in the Mediterranean, wrote that he was 'the finest Admiral afloat since Nelson. [...] There never lived a more noble character or a greater seaman. He was incomparable'. He was also regarded as an intellectual among naval officers, very widely read. The naval historian Sir William Laird Clowes
, who knew him well, wrote that '... he was a natural diplomatist, and an unrivalled tactician; and, to a singular independence and uprightness of character, he added a mastery of technical detail, and a familiarity with contemporary thought and progress that were unusual in those days among officers of his standing'.
Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)
Admiral of the fleet is the highest rank of the British Royal Navy and other navies, which equates to the NATO rank code OF-10. The rank still exists in the Royal Navy but routine appointments ceased in 1996....
Sir Geoffrey Thomas Phipps Hornby GCB (February 10, 1825 – March 3, 1895), was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
naval officer.
Early life
He was the son of Admiral Sir Phipps HornbyPhipps Hornby
Admiral Sir Phipps Hornby, GCB was a prominent and experienced British Royal Navy officer of the nineteenth century. Hornby served on frigates throughout most of his wartime experience, which included witnessing the Nore Mutiny first hand aged 12 in 1797...
, elder brother of James John Hornby
James John Hornby
John James Hornby C.V.O. was an English rower, and headmaster of Eton College from 1868 to 1884.-Early life:...
, the first cousin and brother-in-law of Edward Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby, by a daughter of Lieutenant-General Burgoyne
John Burgoyne
General John Burgoyne was a British army officer, politician and dramatist. He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, mostly notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762....
, commonly distinguished as "Saratoga" Burgoyne.
At the age of twelve he was sent to sea in the flagship of Sir Robert Stopford, with whom he saw the capture of Acre
Acre, Israel
Acre , is a city in the Western Galilee region of northern Israel at the northern extremity of Haifa Bay. Acre is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the country....
in November 1840. He afterwards served in the flagship of Rear-Admiral Josceline Percy at the Cape of Good Hope
Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa.There is a misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa, because it was once believed to be the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In fact, the...
, was flag-lieutenant to his father in the Pacific, and came home as a commander. When the ministry of Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby
Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby
Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, KG, PC was an English statesman, three times Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and to date the longest serving leader of the Conservative Party. He was known before 1834 as Edward Stanley, and from 1834 to 1851 as Lord Stanley...
, fell in December 1852, young Hornby was promoted to be captain. Early in 1853 he married, and as the Derby connexion put him out of favour with ministry of George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen
George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen
George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen KG, KT, FRS, PC , styled Lord Haddo from 1791 to 1801, was a Scottish politician, successively a Tory, Conservative and Peelite, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1852 until 1855.-Early life:Born in Edinburgh on 28 January 1784, he...
, and especially with Sir James Graham, the First Lord of the Admiralty, he settled down in Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
as manager of his father's property.
Captain and Commodore
He had no appointment in the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
until 1858, when he was sent out to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
to take command of the Tribune frigate and convey a body of marines to Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
, where the dispute with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
about the San Juan Islands
San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands are an archipelago in the northwest corner of the contiguous United States between the US mainland and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The San Juan Islands are part of the U.S...
was threatening to become very bitter. As senior naval officer there Hornby's moderation, temper and tact did much to smooth over matters, and a temporary arrangement for joint occupation of the island was concluded. He afterwards commanded the Neptune in the Mediterranean under Sir William Fanshawe Martin, was flag-captain to Rear-Admiral Sydney Dacres
Sydney Dacres
Admiral Sir Sydney Colpoys Dacres GCB was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the Crimean War. Born into a substantial naval dynasty during the Napoleonic Wars, he eventually rose to the rank of Admiral and became First Naval Lord.-Family and early life:Dacres was born in 1805,...
in the Channel, was commodore of the squadron on the west coast of Africa, and, being promoted to rear-admiral in January 1869, commanded the flying squadron for a couple of years.
Admiral
In 1871 he appointed to command the Channel FleetChannel Fleet
The Channel Fleet was the Royal Navy formation of warships that defended the waters of the English Channel from 1690 to 1909.-History:The Channel Fleet dates back at least to 1690 when its role was to defend England against the French threat under the leadership of Edward Russell, 1st Earl of...
and in 1874 he was made Second Naval Lord
Second Sea Lord
The Second Sea Lord and Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command , commonly just known as the Second Sea Lord , is one of the most senior admirals of the British Royal Navy , and is responsible for personnel and naval shore establishments.-History:In 1805, for the first time, specific functions were...
. It was early in 1877 that he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet
Mediterranean Fleet
Several countries have or have had a Mediterranean Fleet in their navy. See:* Mediterranean Fleet * French Mediterranean Fleet* Mediterranean Squadron * United States Sixth Fleet...
, where his skill in manoeuvring the fleet, his power as a disciplinarian, and the tact and determination with which he conducted the foreign relations at the time of the Russian advance on Constantinople, won for him the distinction of Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. He returned home in 1880 with the character of being perhaps the most able commander on the active list of the navy.
His later appointments were to the Royal Naval Academy
Royal Naval Academy
The Royal Naval Academy was established at Portsmouth Dockyard as a facility to train officers for the Royal Navy. The founders' intentions were to provide an alternative means to recruit officers and to provide standardised training, education and admission.-Training:In 1773, a shore side...
in Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
as president, and afterwards as Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
The Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth was a senior commander of the Royal Navy for hundreds of years. Portsmouth Command was a name given to the units, establishments, and staff operating under the post.-History:...
. On hauling down his flag he was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, and in May 1888 was promoted to be admiral of the fleet. From 1886 he was principal naval aide-de-camp
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
to Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
, and in that capacity, and as an admiral of the fleet, was appointed to the staff of the German emperor Wilhelm II during his visits to England in 1889 and 1890. He died, after a short illness, on 3 March 1895.
Children and Reputation
By his wife, who predeceased him, he left several children, daughters and sons, one of whom, a major in the artillery, won the Victoria CrossVictoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
in 1900. His life was written by his daughter, Mrs Fred. Egerton, (1896).
Although almost his entire career was spent in peacetime, Hornby was regarded as not only an able administrator but also a brilliant handler of ships who did most to evolve new tactics as the navy finally abandoned sail for steam power, turret
Turret
In architecture, a turret is a small tower that projects vertically from the wall of a building such as a medieval castle. Turrets were used to provide a projecting defensive position allowing covering fire to the adjacent wall in the days of military fortification...
ships, and the threat of the torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
. Sir John Fisher, who served under him in the Mediterranean, wrote that he was 'the finest Admiral afloat since Nelson. [...] There never lived a more noble character or a greater seaman. He was incomparable'. He was also regarded as an intellectual among naval officers, very widely read. The naval historian Sir William Laird Clowes
William Laird Clowes
Sir William Laird Clowes was a British journalist and historian whose principal work was The Royal Navy, A History from the Earliest Times to 1900, a text that is still in print. He also wrote numerous technical pieces on naval technology and strategy and was also noted for his articles concerning...
, who knew him well, wrote that '... he was a natural diplomatist, and an unrivalled tactician; and, to a singular independence and uprightness of character, he added a mastery of technical detail, and a familiarity with contemporary thought and progress that were unusual in those days among officers of his standing'.