Sir Algernon de Horsey | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 July 1827 |
| Died | 22 October 1922(1922-10-22) (aged 95) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Service years | 1840–1892 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | HMS Devastation HMS Victor HMS Brisk HMS Wolverine HMS Aurora HMS Hector Pacific Station |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
AdmiralSir Algernon Frederick Rous de HorseyKCB DL (25 July 1827 – 22 October 1922) was aRoyal Navy officer, appointed aide-de-camp toQueen Victoria. He distinguished himself in Canada during theFenian raids, and was thanked in Parliament for suppressing riots inJamaica.
De Horsey was the son ofSpencer de Horsey, of Great Glemham Suffolk, and Lady Louise, a daughter of the firstEarl of Stradbroke. His only sister was theCountess of Cardigan, whose reminiscences caused a scandal when they were published.
De Horsey joined theRoyal Navy in 1840[1] and served on the coast ofSyria later that year. He received the Naval General Service Medal and bar for his service in Syria as well as a medal for his service in Acre given by the Sultan of theOttoman Empire. Promoted to lieutenant in July 1846 and tocommander in June 1853, he was given command of the paddlesloopHMS Devastation that same month and ofHMS Victor from November 1855.[1] Promoted tocaptain in September 1857, he commandedHMS Brisk from May 1859,HMS Wolverine from May 1864,HMS Aurora from November 1865 andHMS Hector from May 1868.[1] He was Senior Officer on the Lakes of Canada during theFenian raids; for this he was awarded the Canadian Medal. In 1871 he was made ADC to Queen Victoria.[2] In July 1872, having been promoted tocommodore, he becameSenior Naval Officer in Jamaica with his pennant inHMS Aboukir and responsible for superintendingJamaica Dockyard.[1] He captured the Spanishslave shipManuela, and suppressed riots in Jamaica for which he was thanked in Parliament.[2] He was promoted to rear-admiral in 1875.[3]
He was appointedCommander-in-Chief, Pacific Station in 1876, with his flag inHMS Repulse,HMS Shah and thenHMS Triumph.[1] In this capacity heengaged with theHuáscar during thePeruvian civil war.[1] He was madeCommander-in-Chief, Channel Squadron with his flag inHMS Northumberland in December 1884.[1] He was promoted to full Admiral in April 1885[4] and placed on retired list in July 1892.[1][5]
On 8 September 1878, Admiral de Horsey in theShah visitedPitcairn Island.[6]His Admiralty report includes the remark, "One stranger, an American, has settled on the island – a doubtful acquisition." This line inspiredMark Twain to write the short storyThe Great Revolution in Pitcairn (1879).[7]
He was appointedKCB in the1903 Birthday Honours[8] and lived at Melcombe House inCowes. He frequently contributed letters toThe Times and wroteAn African Pilot andThe Rule of the Road at Sea. He was chairman ofIsle of Wight magistrates for many years and Deputy Lieutenant. On 7 November 1913, he was appointed a deputy governor of the Isle of Wight.[9] He died on 22 October 1922 and was described byThe Times as "Doyen of the Navy".[2] He is buried, together with his wife Caroline, at Carisbrooke (Mountjoy) Cemetery within sight ofCarisbrooke Castle.[10]
He married Caroline, daughter of Admiral Andrew Drew, in 1861 and was the father of Louisa Mary Adeline de Horsey Phillips and grandfather of AdmiralTom Phillips. His son was Vice AdmiralVictor Yorke de Horsey while his other daughter married Major William Croughton of the3rd Dragoon Guards.
De Horsey Island at the mouth of theSkeena River on theNorth Coast of British Columbia,Canada, was named for de Horsey, as wasDe Horsey Passage, which separates it fromSmith Island to its west.[11]
| Military offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Station 1876–1879 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Senior Officer in Command of the Channel Squadron 1884–1885 | Succeeded by |
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