George Vandeput
Encyclopedia
Admiral George Vandeput (Died 14 March 1800) was an English naval officer, the illegitimate son of Sir George Vandeput, 2nd Baronet (c.1717 – 17 June 1784) and an unknown mother.
on board HMS Neptune
(the flagship of Sir Charles Saunders
, stationed in the St Lawrence River) by 24 September 1759, on which date he was promoted lieutenant and transferred to the Shrewsbury
under Captain Hugh Palliser
.
From 1759 to peace in 1763 he served on the Shrewsbury, then on 17 April 1764 he was given his first command, the sloop
Goree, soon followed on 20 June 1765 by being made post captain of the Surprise (20 guns). Other commands (Boreas
August 1766-June 1767, the 28 gun Carysfort
June 1767-1770, the Solebay
on the home station 1770-1773, and many temporary commands in 1773).
Finally he was appointed captain of Asia
just before her commissioning in December 1773, and sailed her to the North American station, where he and she stayed until 1777, mostly in or around New York
and Boston
. During this period one of the Asia 's tender
s captured a small boat carrying gunpowder. Her crew had intended to be captured and hoped that the gunpowder would be immediately transferred to the Asias hold and the boat allowed to go free, so that a sabotage device (consisting of a clockwork which would fire a musket lock at a set time) hidden in the gunpowder would go off inside the Asia and destroy her. However, not knowing of the plot, Vandeput ordered the vessel to lie off the Asia for the night with her cargo still on board, and so one of the captured crew confessed the plot for fear that he would be killed by the explosion. It was also in this first service on the Asia that he met and became friends with the marine artist Robert Cleveley
.
On her return to England in 1777, the Asia was refitted and sent out to the East Indies
, returning to England again in convoy early in 1781, at which point Vandeput was transferred to the Atlas
. On board the Atlas, he participated in the relief of Gibraltar
and the following battle of Cape Spartel
on 20 October 1781. Though neither the Admiralty nor his official standing reflected this, Burke's Peerage
states that he assumed the title of baronet after his father's death in 1784 (certainly his own illegitimate son, also called George, also called himself a baronet).
Peace came, after which Vandeput commanded the yacht Princess Augusta until being made a rear admiral
on 1 February 1793 then vice admiral
on 4 July 1794. For most of 1795 he commanded a small North Sea
squadron, then in 1796 convoy escorts from England to the Mediterranean and Lisbon. On the latter his flagship was the St Albans
and she remained so in 1797 when he moved to command the North American coastal squadron, though towards the end of 1797 he moved his flag to HMS Resolution
then in 1798 to his old ship the Asia. It was on board the Asia that he received promotion to full admiral
on 14 February 1799, and on which he died suddenly at sea just over a year later. His body was buried on Providence
, where it had been transported by HMS Cleopatra
.
Naval career
He was a midshipmanMidshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
on board HMS Neptune
HMS Neptune (1757)
HMS Neptune was a 90-gun second rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Portsmouth Dockyard to the draught specified by the 1745 Establishment as amended in 1750, and launched on 17 July 1757....
(the flagship of Sir Charles Saunders
Charles Saunders (admiral)
Admiral Sir Charles Saunders, KB was a Royal Navy officer in the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War and later served as First Lord of the Admiralty. He was appointed to the Privy Council in 1766.-Early career:...
, stationed in the St Lawrence River) by 24 September 1759, on which date he was promoted lieutenant and transferred to the Shrewsbury
HMS Shrewsbury (1758)
HMS Shrewsbury was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 23 February 1758 at Deptford.In 1783, she was condemned and scuttled....
under Captain Hugh Palliser
Hugh Palliser
Admiral Sir Hugh Palliser, 1st Baronet was an officer of the British Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War...
.
From 1759 to peace in 1763 he served on the Shrewsbury, then on 17 April 1764 he was given his first command, the sloop
Sloop
A sloop is a sail boat with a fore-and-aft rig and a single mast farther forward than the mast of a cutter....
Goree, soon followed on 20 June 1765 by being made post captain of the Surprise (20 guns). Other commands (Boreas
HMS Boreas (1757)
HMS Boreas was a 28-gun Coventry-class sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy. Built in 1757, she was one of five frigates of the class built of fir rather than oak...
August 1766-June 1767, the 28 gun Carysfort
HMS Carysfort (1766)
HMS Carysfort was a 28-gun Coventry-class sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She served during the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars in a career that spanned over forty years....
June 1767-1770, the Solebay
HMS Solebay (1763)
HMS Solebay was a sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She was first commissioned in August 1763 under Captain William Hay.-References:* Robert Gardiner, The First Frigates, Conway Maritime Press, London 1992. ISBN 0-85177-601-9....
on the home station 1770-1773, and many temporary commands in 1773).
Finally he was appointed captain of Asia
HMS Asia (1764)
HMS Asia was a 64-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 3 March 1764 at Portsmouth Dockyard. She participated in the American Revolutionary War and the capture of Martinique in 1794....
just before her commissioning in December 1773, and sailed her to the North American station, where he and she stayed until 1777, mostly in or around New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. During this period one of the Asia 's tender
Ship's tender
A ship's tender, usually referred to as a tender, is a boat, or a larger ship used to service a ship, generally by transporting people and/or supplies to and from shore or another ship...
s captured a small boat carrying gunpowder. Her crew had intended to be captured and hoped that the gunpowder would be immediately transferred to the Asias hold and the boat allowed to go free, so that a sabotage device (consisting of a clockwork which would fire a musket lock at a set time) hidden in the gunpowder would go off inside the Asia and destroy her. However, not knowing of the plot, Vandeput ordered the vessel to lie off the Asia for the night with her cargo still on board, and so one of the captured crew confessed the plot for fear that he would be killed by the explosion. It was also in this first service on the Asia that he met and became friends with the marine artist Robert Cleveley
Robert Cleveley
Robert Cleveley was an English maritime painter.His father and twin brother were also artists, with John the Younger gaining some training in watercolours from Paul Sandby, previously a teacher at the Royal...
.
On her return to England in 1777, the Asia was refitted and sent out to the East Indies
East Indies
East Indies is a term used by Europeans from the 16th century onwards to identify what is now known as Indian subcontinent or South Asia, Southeastern Asia, and the islands of Oceania, including the Malay Archipelago and the Philippines...
, returning to England again in convoy early in 1781, at which point Vandeput was transferred to the Atlas
HMS Atlas
Two ships of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Atlas:, a second rate ship of the line launched in 1782 and broken up in 1821., a 91 gun second rate ship launched at Chatham Dockyard on 21 July 1860 but kept in reserve after her steam trials, and never commissioned. Lent to the...
. On board the Atlas, he participated in the relief of Gibraltar
History of Gibraltar
The history of Gibraltar portrays how The Rock gained an importance and a reputation far exceeding its size, influencing and shaping the people who came to reside here over the centuries.-Prehistoric:...
and the following battle of Cape Spartel
Battle of Cape Spartel
The Battle of Cape Spartel was an indecisive naval battle between a Franco-Spanish fleet under Admiral Luis de Córdova y Córdova and a British fleet under Admiral Richard Howe...
on 20 October 1781. Though neither the Admiralty nor his official standing reflected this, Burke's Peerage
Burke's Peerage
Burke's Peerage publishes authoritative, in-depth historical guides to the royal and titled families of the United Kingdom, such as Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, and of many other countries. Founded in 1826 by British genealogist John Burke Esq., and continued by his son, Sir John...
states that he assumed the title of baronet after his father's death in 1784 (certainly his own illegitimate son, also called George, also called himself a baronet).
Peace came, after which Vandeput commanded the yacht Princess Augusta until being made a rear admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
on 1 February 1793 then vice admiral
Vice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
on 4 July 1794. For most of 1795 he commanded a small North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
squadron, then in 1796 convoy escorts from England to the Mediterranean and Lisbon. On the latter his flagship was the St Albans
HMS St Albans (1764)
HMS St Albans was a 64-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 12 September 1764 at Blackwall Yard, London.She served in the American War of Independence from 1777 and was part of the fleet that captured St Lucia and won victories at Battle of St. Kitts and The Saintes...
and she remained so in 1797 when he moved to command the North American coastal squadron, though towards the end of 1797 he moved his flag to HMS Resolution
HMS Resolution (1770)
HMS Resolution was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 12 April 1770 at Deptford Dockyard.She participated in the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1780, the Battle of the Chesapeake in 1781, and the Battle of the Saintes in 1782.Resolution was broken up in 1813....
then in 1798 to his old ship the Asia. It was on board the Asia that he received promotion to full admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
on 14 February 1799, and on which he died suddenly at sea just over a year later. His body was buried on Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, where it had been transported by HMS Cleopatra
HMS Cleopatra (1779)
HMS Cleopatra was a 32-gun Amazon-class fifth rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She had a long career, seeing service during the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War, and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. During the latter wars she fought two notable engagements with larger French opponents...
.