Sir William Martin, 4th Baronet
Encyclopedia
Admiral
Sir William Fanshawe Martin, 4th Baronet GCB
(5 December 1801 – 24 March 1895), was a senior British
naval officer.
comptroller
of the navy
(1815–1831), and a grandson, on the mother's side, of Captain Robert Fanshawe, who commanded the "Namur 90" in George Rodney's victory of 12 April 1782. He had two brothers, including Henry Byam Martin (born June 1803).
Entering the navy at the age of twelve, his father's interest secured his rapid promotion: he was made a lieutenant on 15 December 1820; on 8 February 1823 he was promoted to be commander of the Fly sloop
, his good service in which in support of the interests of British merchants at Callao secured his promotion as captain on 5 June 1824. He served in the Mediterranean
during the periods of 15 November 1826 to 1831 (Captain, Samarang) 19 July 1844 to 31 January 1845 (Captain, Queen), 30 January 1845 to 18 October 1845 (Captain, Trafalgar), and 7 December 1847 to 21 December 1849 (Captain, Prince Regent).
In 1849 to 1852, he was commodore commanding the Channel squadron
. He was made rear-admiral in May 1853, and for the next four years was superintendent of Portsmouth
dockyard
. He was made vice-admiral in February 1858, and after a year as First Sea Lord
, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet
in 1860, with his flag in HMS Marlborough
(captain - William Houston Stewart
).
He had no war service, and, beyond the Italian disturbance of 1860-61, no opportunity for showing diplomatic ability. But his memory lives as that of the reformer of discipline and the originator of a comprehensive system of steam manoeuvres. He became an Admiral
in November 1863. On 4 December, he succeeded to the baronet
cy, which had been conferred on his grandfather, but passed to Martin upon the death of his cousin, Sir Henry, the 3rd Baronet.
His last appointment was Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
, from 1866 to 1869, and in 1870 he was put on the retired list. In 1873 the GCB
was conferred on him. He died at Upton Grey, near Winchfield
, on 24 March 1895.
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"...
Sir William Fanshawe Martin, 4th Baronet GCB
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
(5 December 1801 – 24 March 1895), was a senior 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.
Naval career
He was the eldest son of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thomas Byam MartinThomas Byam Martin
Admiral Sir Thomas Byam Martin, GCB was a highly influential British Royal Navy officer who served at sea during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars and then as a naval administrator until his death in 1854...
comptroller
Comptroller
A comptroller is a management level position responsible for supervising the quality of accounting and financial reporting of an organization.In British government, the Comptroller General or Comptroller and Auditor General is in most countries the external auditor of the budget execution of the...
of the 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...
(1815–1831), and a grandson, on the mother's side, of Captain Robert Fanshawe, who commanded the "Namur 90" in George Rodney's victory of 12 April 1782. He had two brothers, including Henry Byam Martin (born June 1803).
Entering the navy at the age of twelve, his father's interest secured his rapid promotion: he was made a lieutenant on 15 December 1820; on 8 February 1823 he was promoted to be commander of the Fly 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....
, his good service in which in support of the interests of British merchants at Callao secured his promotion as captain on 5 June 1824. He served in the Mediterranean
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...
during the periods of 15 November 1826 to 1831 (Captain, Samarang) 19 July 1844 to 31 January 1845 (Captain, Queen), 30 January 1845 to 18 October 1845 (Captain, Trafalgar), and 7 December 1847 to 21 December 1849 (Captain, Prince Regent).
In 1849 to 1852, he was commodore commanding the Channel squadron
Channel 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...
. He was made rear-admiral in May 1853, and for the next four years was superintendent of 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...
dockyard
Shipyard
Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners or other cargo or passenger ships. Dockyards are sometimes more associated with maintenance and basing activities than shipyards, which are sometimes associated more with initial...
. He was made vice-admiral in February 1858, and after a year as First Sea Lord
First Sea Lord
The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the Royal Navy and the whole Naval Service; it was formerly known as First Naval Lord. He also holds the title of Chief of Naval Staff, and is known by the abbreviations 1SL/CNS...
, 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...
in 1860, with his flag in HMS Marlborough
HMS Marlborough (1855)
HMS Marlborough was a first-rate three-decker 131 gun screw ship built for the Royal Navy in 1855. She was begun as a sailing ship of the line , but was completed to a modified design and converted to steam on the stocks.She served as flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet from 1858-64 HMS...
(captain - William Houston Stewart
William Houston Stewart
Admiral Sir William Houston Stewart GCB was a British naval officer who was Controller of the Royal Navy from 1872 to 1881.-Personal life:...
).
He had no war service, and, beyond the Italian disturbance of 1860-61, no opportunity for showing diplomatic ability. But his memory lives as that of the reformer of discipline and the originator of a comprehensive system of steam manoeuvres. He became an 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"...
in November 1863. On 4 December, he succeeded to the baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
cy, which had been conferred on his grandfather, but passed to Martin upon the death of his cousin, Sir Henry, the 3rd Baronet.
His last appointment was Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
The Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth was a senior commander of the Royal Navy for hundreds of years. Plymouth Command was a name given to the units, establishments, and staff operating under the admiral's command. In the nineteenth century the holder of the office was known as Commander-in-Chief,...
, from 1866 to 1869, and in 1870 he was put on the retired list. In 1873 the GCB
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
was conferred on him. He died at Upton Grey, near Winchfield
Winchfield
Winchfield is a small village in the Hart District of Hampshire in the South-East of England. It is situated 1 mile south-west of Hartley Wintney, 8 miles east of Basingstoke, 2 miles north-east of Odiham and 38 miles west of London...
, on 24 March 1895.