We have recently received into our archives an abridged version of the biography of Captain Edward Hawkins, which has now confirmed the unknown facts about him. Hopefully soon we will be able to get it out on display in our Heritage Area in the Chapel of St. John the Apostle & Evangelist at SSNF.
He lived in Duncan House Saltash (next to the Guildhall), he was Superintendent of the prison ships from 1808 until his retirement in 1814.
Captain Hawkins lived on board the Brave, a prison hulk moored in the Hamoaze, with his prisoners between 1809 and 1812, "He proved to be fair and humane in his dealings with the captives, but tough enough to deal with mutinous uprisings and was held in high regard.
On January 1st, 1813, the prison ships in commission were the "Brave", the "El Firme", the "Hector", the "Generaux", the L'Oiseau", the "San Ysidro", the "San Nicolas", the "Ganges" and the "Le Caton". The "Europe" was brought back into service in September 1813 and the "Bienfaisant" the following month.
The silver tea set which was presented to the Saltash Naval Captain, Edward Hawkins by Danish prisoners-of-war in 1810 was sold in Plymouth yesterday for £330. It was bought by a local purchaser, who intends to keep it for a private collection. The tea set is inscribed with the words: "To Captain Edward Hawkins of the British Navy, this small mark of esteem and gratitude." Sentiments universally produced by his disinterested kindness towards Danish Prisoners of War under his Care is respectfully presented by a few of their countrymen. London, November. 1810.” Each piece of the set is engraved in Danish and English.
The set was one of 500 lots auctioned by Mr. Peter Woods, for Taylor Son and Creber, at their Western Auction Rooms in North Hill, Plymouth. The sale, which lasted most of the day, attracted much interest and buyers from all over the West-country.
Among the other lots of Georgian silver from the same private collection as the tea set were:
Son of a naval officer; was born at Saltash, Cornwall, in 1765; made a Lieutenant in 1790; and advanced to the rank of Commander in 1798. At the commencement of the late war, we find him commanding the Helder frigate, stationed as a floating battery in the river Humber; and subsequently the Dispatch brig, of 18 guns, employed on Channel service. In Oct. 1804, Captain Hawkins destroyed three French gun-vessels, each mounting 1 brass 32-pounder and 1 long six. On the 27th Sept. 1806, two days after the date of his post commission, he assisted at the capture of le Presidente frigate, mounting 44 guns, with a complement of 330 men.
At this latter period, the Dispatch was under the orders of Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Louis, who, in his official letter, merely states that le Presidente struck to his squadron, after a chase of 17 hours. Mr. James, however, informs us, and we believe his statement to be correct, that Captain Hawkins maintained a running fight with the enemy, from 6-45 until about 7-45 P.M.; when the latter bore up and stood towards the British squadron, the nearest ship of which was about 3 miles astern of the Dispatch; and that the Rear-Admiral shortly afterwards fired a distant shot at le Presidente, who thereupon hauled down her colours, and was taken possession of by her tiny antagonist. We agree with Mr. James, that “it would have been but fair to have given the brig the credit which was due to her, that of having, when no ship was at hand to assist her, so boldly engaged a heavy French frigat”
When superseded in the command of the Dispatch Captain Hawkins retired to Saltash, where he continued until Feb, 1807, when he was dragged from his home and tried by a court-martial “for cruelty and oppression, unbecoming the character of an officer exercised by him, or caused by him to be exercised towards and upon William Davie (a seaman belonging to the Dispatch), and for negligence and inattention to the state and condition of the said man, as a sick person under his command,” as set forth in two anonymous letters, written by Thomas Thompson, late Master of that sloop, and addressed to Earl Spencer, H.M. Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department.
As the minutes of this court-martial have long been before the public, it may appear superfluous for us to say more than that the charges were declared to be “scandalous and malicious,” and that Captain Hawkins was consequently acquitted; but we cannot refrain from placing on record the testimony borne to his general character and conduct by Admiral Sir Charles M. Pole, Bart., who addressed a letter to the Judge Advocate, of which the following is a copy:
“Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, Feb. 9, 1807.
“Sir,– Having understood that Captain Hawkins was to be tried by a court-martial, now assembling at Portsmouth, on charges of oppression and cruelty to those under his command, it was my intention (if the business of the borough of Plymouth had not intervened) to have offered myself as a most willing and anxious witness to his general character and conduct for near 20 years; to have declared on oath, if I had been permitted, that Captain Hawkins served with me from the year 1786, as Mate and Lieutenant, and scarcely ever out of my knowledge of his behaviour and conduct, until the day of his promotion, from the Royal George, in 1798. In the whole of that period, his character and conduct was that of a most humane, considerate, and benevolent officer, zealously attentive to the sick and suffering seamen; and I should have further declared on oath, if I had been allowed, that he is almost the last man in the service, against whom such an accusation could have obtained credit with those who have known him best.
“I am not aware that I could have presumed to say more on this subject, even if I had attended the court-martial, as I know nothing of the present evidences; but it is a duty I owe to Captain Hawkins to declare, that his mind must be entirely changed, if be is not aa benevolent and kind to the sick as any officer in the British navy ever was. I have the honour to be, his most loyal
(Signed)“Ch. M. Pole.”
