Sir Peter Halkett | |
|---|---|
.png) Admiral Sir Peter Halkett | |
| Born | 1765 (1765) Unknown |
| Died | 7 October 1839(1839-10-07) (aged 73–74) Pitfirrane,Fife |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Years of service | c. 1780s–1839 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Battles / wars | |
AdmiralSir Peter Halkett, 6th Baronet (c. 1765 – 7 October 1839) was a senior Royal Navy officer of the early nineteenth century who is best known for his service in theFrench Revolutionary Wars. The younger son a Scottishbaronet, Halkett joined the Navy and by 1793 was a lieutenant, becoming apost captain after service at theSiege of Williamstadt in theNetherlands. He later commanded thefrigateHMSCirce during theBattle of Camperdown in 1797 and later achieved success in the Caribbean in command ofHMSApollo. He was made a rear-admiral in 1812, but his first major command was in theWest Indies in 1836, lasting two years. Shortly before his death he inherited theHalkett Baronetcy from his brother Charles, later passing it to his son John.
Peter Halkett was born in 1765, the second son of Sir John Halkett, the 4th Halkett Baronet of Pitfirrane inFife. At a young age, Halkett entered theRoyal Navy and as a lieutenant achieved his first command, that of the tiny sloopHMS Placentia in 1789. By 1793 was serving onHMS Syren, which conveyed theDuke of York to the Netherlands for service in theFrench Revolutionary Wars. During the campaign, Halkett served ingunboats assisting the Dutch garrison during theSiege of Williamstadt and impressed the Duke with his activity, being rewarded with a promotion topost captain and an expensive medal from thePrince of Orange.[1]
On his return to Britain, Halkett was given command of thefrigateHMSCirce in theNorth Sea, and in 1797 his ship was one of the few not to suffer from the effects of theNore Mutiny that brought the fleet to a standstill. For his conduct during the crisis, Halkett was praised by theAdmiralty and later in the yearCirce acted as a signal frigate for the fleet under AdmiralAdam Duncan that destroyed a Dutch fleet at theBattle of Camperdown. In the aftermath of the battle, Halkett moved to the larger frigateHMSApollo, but his ship was lost on the Dutch coast, Halkett and his men rescued by aPrussian ship. At the subsequent court martial Halkett was cleared of any blame in the loss of his ship, the pilot being broke and rendered incapable of ever serving his Majesty,[2] and he was given command of a new frigate, also namedHMSApollo.[1]
InApollo, Halkett sailed for theWest Indies and remained there for two years, capturing a number of French and Spanish vessels, including privateers. He returned to Britain in 1802 and subsequently joined theship of the lineHMS Ganges. At theSecond Battle of Copenhagen in 1807Ganges carried commodoreRichard Goodwin Keats' flag.[3] Halkett remained in command ofGanges until 1812 when he was made a rear-admiral. Halkett did not see a lot of subsequent high command, although he remained in service during theNapoleonic Wars, stationed atPortsmouth aboardHMSGladiator. After the war Halkett remained in service, becoming a vice-admiral in 1821 and a full admiral in 1837. In 1837 he inherited his father's baronetcy from his brother. In 1836 he got his only major seagoing command when he spent two years as Commander in Chief of theNorth America and West Indies Station, before returning to Britain.[1]
Halkett died at home in Pitfirrane in October 1839. His wife Elizabeth Todd, whom he had married in 1802, had died in 1814, but Halkett was survived by his son John, who inherited the baronetcy.[1]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station 1836–1837 | Succeeded by |
| Baronetage of Nova Scotia | ||
| Preceded by | Baronet (of Pitfirrane, Fife) 1837–1839 | Succeeded by |