Difference between revisions of "Count Frederick Cosmeto Metaxa"

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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.<ref>''The Spectator''.  23 June, 1860.  p. 591.</ref>
 
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.<ref>''The Spectator''.  23 June, 1860.  p. 591.</ref>
  
Metaxa was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} with seniority of 1 June, 1869.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/23504/pages/3184 no. 23504.  p. 3184.]  4 June, 1869.</ref>
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Metaxa was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} with seniority of 1 June, 1869.{{Gaz|23504|3184|4 June, 1869}}
  
He was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 30 June, 1882.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/25123/pages/3031 no. 25123.  p. 3031.]  30 June, 1882.</ref>
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He was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 30 June, 1882.{{Gaz|25123|3031|30 June, 1882}}
  
Metaxa was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 1 January, 1888.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/25772/pages/15 no. 25772.  p. 15.]  3 January, 1888.</ref> He was appointed in command of the [[H.M.S. Calypso (1883)|''Calypso'']] on 1 November, 1888.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 25 October, 1888.  Issue '''32526''', col C, p. 10.</ref> 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.<ref>"Return of the Late Governor of Heligoland" (News).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 12 August, 1890.  Issue '''33088''', col E, p. 3.</ref> Metaxa was succeeded in command of the ''Calypso'' by Captain [[William Marrack]] on 2 November, 1891.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 3 November, 1891.  Issue '''33472''', col F, p. 4.</ref>
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Metaxa was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 1 January, 1888.{{Gaz|25772|15|3 January, 1888}} He was appointed in command of the [[H.M.S. Calypso (1883)|''Calypso'']] on 1 November, 1888.{{NMI|Thursday, 25 October, 1888.  Issue '''32526''', col C, p. 10}} 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.{{ToL|Return of the Late Governor of Heligoland|Tuesday, 12 August, 1890.  Issue '''33088''', col E, p. 3}} Metaxa was succeeded in command of the ''Calypso'' by Captain [[William Marrack]] on 2 November, 1891.{{NMI|Tuesday, 3 November, 1891.  Issue '''33472''', col F, p. 4}}
  
 
An officer who served in the Navy at the tail-end of Metaxa's career later wrote:
 
An officer who served in the Navy at the tail-end of Metaxa's career later wrote:
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<blockquote>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.<ref>James.  p. 33.</ref></blockquote>
 
<blockquote>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.<ref>James.  p. 33.</ref></blockquote>
  
The key word there is, of course, "reputed."
+
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.<ref>as cited at the Friends of Highland Road Cemetery website.</ref>
  
He was reappointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp, to King Edward VII, on 25 February, 1901.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27289/pages/1417 no. 27289.  p. 1417.]  26 February, 1901.</ref> He was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 16 June, vice [[William Home Chisholme St. Clair|St. Clair]].<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27344/pages/5258 no. 27344.  p. 5258.]  9 August, 1901.</ref>
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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.<ref>Metaxa Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/39/110.|}} f. 879.</ref>
  
Metaxa was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 1 August, 1905, vice [[John Harvey Rainier|Rainier]].<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27824/pages/5376 no. 27824. p. 5376.]  4 August, 1905.</ref>
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Metaxa was tried by Court Martial on 26 February 1897 for having negligently or by default hazarded the {{UK-1Galatea|f=t}}.  He was severely reprimanded in the wake of this proceeding.<ref>Metaxa Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/39/110.|}} f. 879.</ref>
  
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.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27837/pages/6329 no. 27837.  p. 6329.]  19 September, 1905.</ref> He was advanced to the rank of {{AdmRN}} on the Retired List on 2 January, 1909.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28212/pages/131 no. 28212.  p. 131.]  5 January, 1909.</ref>
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He was reappointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp, to King Edward VII, on 25 February, 1901.{{Gaz|27289|1417|26 February, 1901}}  He was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 16 June, vice [[William Home Chisholme St. Clair|St. Clair]].{{Gaz|27344|5258|9 August, 1901}} 
 +
 
 +
Metaxa was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 1 August, 1905, vice [[John Harvey Rainier|Rainier]].{{Gaz|27824|5376|4 August, 1905}}
 +
 
 +
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.{{Gaz|27837|6329|19 September, 1905}} He was advanced to the rank of {{AdmRN}} on the Retired List on 2 January, 1909.{{Gaz|28212|131|5 January, 1909}}
  
 
He died on 2 March, 1910, at St. George's Hotel, Menton, France.
 
He died on 2 March, 1910, at St. George's Hotel, Menton, France.
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*"Admiral Count F. C. Metaxa" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 7 March, 1910.  Issue '''39213''', col D, p. 13.
 
*"Admiral Count F. C. Metaxa" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 7 March, 1910.  Issue '''39213''', col D, p. 13.
 
*[[William Milbourne James|James, Admiral Sir William]] (1951).  ''The Sky was Always Blue''.  London: Methuen & Co. Ltd..
 
*[[William Milbourne James|James, Admiral Sir William]] (1951).  ''The Sky was Always Blue''.  London: Methuen & Co. Ltd..
 +
* [http://www.friendsofhighlandroadcemetery.org.uk/military/metaxa.htm Friends of Highland Road Cemetery website]
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
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<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Coke Burnell|John C. Burnell]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Calypso (1883)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Calypso'']]'''<br>1 Nov, 1888{{NLApr91|p. 207}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Marrack|William Marrack]]'''}}
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Coke Burnell|John C. Burnell]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Calypso (1883)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Calypso'']]'''<br>1 Nov, 1888{{NLApr91|p. 207}} &ndash; 2 Nov, 1891<ref>Metaxa Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/39/110.|}} f. 880.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Marrack|William Marrack]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[H.M.C.S. Rainbow (1891)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Rainbow'']]'''<br>11 Jul, 1893 &ndash; ''c''. mid Aug, 1893{{INF}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Carnegie Codrington Forsyth|William C. C. Forsyth]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.C.S. Rainbow (1891)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Rainbow'']]'''<br>11 Jul, 1893{{NMI|Monday, Jul 10, 1893; pg. 10; Issue 33999}} &ndash; 29 Aug, 1893<ref>Metaxa Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/39/110.|}} f. 880.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Leckie Hamilton Browne|William L. H. Browne]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Burges Watson|Burges Watson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Leander (1882)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Leander'']]'''<br>6 Dec, 1893{{NLApr94|p. 231}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederick Fogarty Fegen|Frederick F. Fegen]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Burges Watson|Burges Watson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Leander (1882)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Leander'']]'''<br>6 Dec, 1893<ref>Metaxa Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/39/110.|}} f. 880.</ref>{{NLApr94|p. 231}} &ndash; 26 Nov, 1895<ref>Metaxa Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/39/110.|}} f. 880.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederick Fogarty Fegen|Frederick F. Fegen]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Ernest Rice|Ernest Rice]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Sultan (1870)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Sultan'']]'''<br>8 Jul, 1896|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Lewis Frederick Blackburn|Lewis F. Blackburn]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Ernest Rice|Ernest Rice]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Sultan (1870)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Sultan'']]'''<br>8 Jul, 1896<ref>Metaxa Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/39/110.|}} f. 879.</ref>{{NMI|Thursday, Jul 09, 1896; pg. 11; Issue 34938}} &ndash; 1 Sep, 1896<ref>Metaxa Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/39/110.|}} f. 879.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Lewis Frederick Blackburn|Lewis F. Blackburn]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Basil Edward Cochrane|Basil E. Cochrane]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Galatea (1887)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Galatea'']]'''<br>1 Sep, 1896{{NLOct98|p. 252}} &ndash; 25 Sep, 1898{{INF}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Henry Cross|Charles H. Cross]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Basil Edward Cochrane|Basil E. Cochrane]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Galatea (1887)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Galatea'']]'''<br>1 Sep, 1896{{NLOct98|p. 252}} &ndash; 25 Sep, 1898{{INF}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Henry Cross|Charles H. Cross]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles James Barlow|Charles J. Barlow]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Alexandra (1875)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Alexandra'']]'''<br>25 Sep, 1898|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederic William Fisher|Frederick W. Fisher]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles James Barlow|Charles J. Barlow]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Alexandra (1875)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Alexandra'']]'''<br>25 Sep, 1898{{NMI|Friday, Sep 23, 1898; pg. 5; Issue 35629}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederic William Fisher|Frederick W. Fisher]]'''}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
</div name=fredbot:appts>
 
</div name=fredbot:appts>
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{{CatBritannia|June, 1860}}
 
{{CatBritannia|June, 1860}}
 
{{CatAdm|UK}}
 
{{CatAdm|UK}}
 +
{{CatRN}}

Latest revision as of 15:45, 7 April 2022

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.