James Wallace (governor)
Encyclopedia
Sir James Wallace was an officer of the Royal Navy
. He served for a time as a colonial governor.
Wallace was born in England
and entered the Royal Navy
in 1746. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1755, and to commander in 1762. On 12 April 1794, Wallace was promoted Rear-Admiral and commander-in-chief and governor of Newfoundland.
During his governorship Wallace defended the coast of Newfoundland from French
privateers. In August 1796 Wallace's leadership successfully defended St. John's
against a French squadron of seven ships and three frigates and raised a militia known as Skinner's Fencibles.
He departed Newfoundland in 1797 for England, and left active service. He died in London
on 6 March 1803.
Service history:
Royal 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...
. He served for a time as a colonial governor.
Wallace was born in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and entered the Royal Navy
Royal 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...
in 1746. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1755, and to commander in 1762. On 12 April 1794, Wallace was promoted Rear-Admiral and commander-in-chief and governor of Newfoundland.
During his governorship Wallace defended the coast of Newfoundland from French
Kingdom of France
The Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
privateers. In August 1796 Wallace's leadership successfully defended St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
against a French squadron of seven ships and three frigates and raised a militia known as Skinner's Fencibles.
He departed Newfoundland in 1797 for England, and left active service. He died in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on 6 March 1803.
Service history:
- 1746 entered the Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe 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...
, - 1755 promoted to lieutenant,
- 1760 served in the West Indies and Mediterranean,
- 1762 promoted to commander,
- 1763 appointed to the North AmericaNorth AmericaNorth America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n station, - 1771 promoted to captain
- 1774 stationed again in North America in the frigate HMS RoseHMS Rose (1757)HMS Rose was a 20-gun sixth-rate post ship of the Royal Navy, built in Hull, England in 1757. Her activities in suppressing smuggling in the colony of Rhode Island provoked the formation of what became the Continental Navy, precursor of the modern United States Navy. In the Seven Years' War, Rose...
, service for which he was knighted in 1777, - 1794 promoted Rear-Admiral of the White,
- 1794 commander-in-chief and governor of Newfoundland,
- 1795 promoted Vice-Admiral of the White,
- 1799 promoted Vice-Admiral of the Red,
- 1801 promoted to Admiral of the Blue,
See also
- Governors of Newfoundland