Thomas Griffin (Royal Navy officer)
| Thomas Griffin | |
|---|---|
| Born | ca. 1692 |
| Died | 23 December 1771 |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Service/branch |
 Royal Navy |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held |
HMS Shoreham HMS Blenheim HMS Oxford HMS Princess Caroline HMS Burford HMS St George HMS Captain East Indies Station |
| Battles/wars |
War of Jenkins' Ear Seven Years' War |
Admiral Thomas Griffin (ca. 1692 - 23 December 1771) was a Royal Navy officer who became Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station.
Naval career
Griffin joined the Royal Navy in 1718 as third lieutenant of HMS Orford.[1] He was given command of HMS Shoreham in 1731, HMS Blenheim in 1735, HMS Oxford in 1738 and HMS Princess Caroline in 1739.[1] In 1741 he commanded HMS Burford at the Battle of Cartagena de Indias in Spring of that year.[1] In September 1742 he was involved in an incident whereby he evicted some of his officers from their cabins to accommodate some passengers: considerable acrimony followed.[1] He went on to command HMS St George from later in 1741 and HMS Captain from 1743.[1] While in command of the latter ship he was involved in an incident whereby he was accused of engaging a small French vessel and ignoring two much larger enemy ships; his explanations were accepted at the time but revisited later.[1] He was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station in 1746.[1] After reinforcing Fort St. David near Cuddalore in March 1747,[2] he was promoted to rear-admiral of the red in July 1747, promoted to vice-admiral of the blue in May 1748 and then sailed back to England in January 1749.[1] On his return his judgement was again questioned, he was court-martialled and found guilty of negligence.[1] After his court martial George II reinstated him and he was promoted to admiral of the white.[1] He served as Member of Parliament for Arundel from 1754 to 1761.[1]
He acquired Goodrich Castle in Herefordshire in 1740.[3] He also bought land at Dixton and built Newton Court[4] and he is buried at St Peter's Church in Dixton.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Thomas Griffin at Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
- ↑ Jaques, Tony Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: F-O, p. 366
- ↑ Goodrich Castle
- ↑ "Lower Wye Valley 021 Newton". Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Garton Orme Theobald Taafe |
Member of Parliament for Arundel 1754–1761 With: Sir George Colebrooke |
Succeeded by Sir George Colebrooke John Bristow |