Count Frederick Cosmeto Metaxa

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Admiral Count Frederick Cosmeto Metaxa, Royal Navy, Retired (7 March, 1847 – 2 March, 1910) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Early Life & Career

For passing his examination at the Royal Naval College, Portsmouth, Metaxa was presented a watch by the Lord Mayor of London at the Mansion House, and was given a telescope by a Colonel Francis Seymour, equerry to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.[1]

Metaxa was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with seniority of 1 June, 1869.[2]

He was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1882.[3]

Metaxa was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 January, 1888.[4] He was appointed in command of the Calypso on 1 November, 1888.[5] In August, 1890, Calypso carried back to England the late Governor of Heligoland, Mr. Barkly, C.M.G., and also the guns which had been mounted on the island, with their shell and powder.[6] Metaxa was succeeded in command of the Calypso by Captain William Marrack on 2 November, 1891.[7]

An officer who served in the Navy at the tail-end of Metaxa's career later wrote:

Count Metaxa was another Captain whom no one wished to serve under; he was reputed to have disrated every Petty Officer in his ship during the few weeks of the annual manœuvres. He is now forgotten.[8]

The level of abuse hinted at in this account is echoed in the memoirs of Reginald Tyrwhitt from his own service in Calypso during naval manoeuvres under Metaxa.[9]

On 3 March 1896, the Admiralty expressed its displeasure at Metaxa's having failed to comply with Act 888 of the Queen's Regulations in regard to precautions for custody of Jubilee Money.[10]

Metaxa was tried by Court Martial on 26 February 1897 for having negligently or by default hazarded the light cruiser Galatea. He was severely reprimanded in the wake of this proceeding.[11]

He was reappointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp, to King Edward VII, on 25 February, 1901.[12] He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 16 June, vice St. Clair.[13]

Metaxa was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 1 August, 1905, vice Rainier.[14]

In accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 8 December, 1903, he was placed on the Retired List, at his own request, on 12 September, 1905.[15] He was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List on 2 January, 1909.[16]

He died on 2 March, 1910, at St. George's Hotel, Menton, France.

Bibliography

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
John C. Burnell
Captain of H.M.S. Calypso
1 Nov, 1888[17] – 2 Nov, 1891[18]
Succeeded by
William Marrack
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Rainbow
11 Jul, 1893[19] – 29 Aug, 1893[20]
Succeeded by
William L. H. Browne
Preceded by
Burges Watson
Captain of H.M.S. Leander
6 Dec, 1893[21][22] – 26 Nov, 1895[23]
Succeeded by
Frederick F. Fegen
Preceded by
Ernest Rice
Captain of H.M.S. Sultan
8 Jul, 1896[24][25] – 1 Sep, 1896[26]
Succeeded by
Lewis F. Blackburn
Preceded by
Basil E. Cochrane
Captain of H.M.S. Galatea
1 Sep, 1896[27] – 25 Sep, 1898[Inference]
Succeeded by
Charles H. Cross
Preceded by
Charles J. Barlow
Captain of H.M.S. Alexandra
25 Sep, 1898[28]
Succeeded by
Frederick W. Fisher

Footnotes

  1. The Spectator. 23 June, 1860. p. 591.
  2. The London Gazette: no. 23504. p. 3184. 4 June, 1869.
  3. The London Gazette: no. 25123. p. 3031. 30 June, 1882.
  4. The London Gazette: no. 25772. p. 15. 3 January, 1888.
  5. "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Thursday, 25 October, 1888. Issue 32526, col C, p. 10.
  6. "Return of the Late Governor of Heligoland." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, 12 August, 1890. Issue 33088, col E, p. 3.
  7. "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, 3 November, 1891. Issue 33472, col F, p. 4.
  8. James. p. 33.
  9. as cited at the Friends of Highland Road Cemetery website.
  10. Metaxa Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39/110. f. 879.
  11. Metaxa Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39/110. f. 879.
  12. The London Gazette: no. 27289. p. 1417. 26 February, 1901.
  13. The London Gazette: no. 27344. p. 5258. 9 August, 1901.
  14. The London Gazette: no. 27824. p. 5376. 4 August, 1905.
  15. The London Gazette: no. 27837. p. 6329. 19 September, 1905.
  16. The London Gazette: no. 28212. p. 131. 5 January, 1909.
  17. The Navy List. (April, 1891). p. 207.
  18. Metaxa Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39/110. f. 880.
  19. "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Monday, Jul 10, 1893; pg. 10; Issue 33999.
  20. Metaxa Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39/110. f. 880.
  21. Metaxa Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39/110. f. 880.
  22. The Navy List. (April, 1894). p. 231.
  23. Metaxa Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39/110. f. 880.
  24. Metaxa Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39/110. f. 879.
  25. "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Thursday, Jul 09, 1896; pg. 11; Issue 34938.
  26. Metaxa Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39/110. f. 879.
  27. The Navy List. (October, 1898). p. 252.
  28. "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Friday, Sep 23, 1898; pg. 5; Issue 35629.