Algernon Charles Fieschi Heneage

From The Dreadnought Project
Revision as of 07:06, 24 December 2012 by Simon Harley (Talk | contribs) (Life & Career)

Jump to: navigation, search
File:Algernon Charles Fiesché Heneage, RCN.jpg
Admiral Sir Algernon C. F. Heneage.
Image: Department of National Defence.

Admiral SIR Algernon Charles Fiesché Heneage, G.C.B., Royal Navy (19 March, 1834 – 10 June, 1915) was an officer of the Royal Navy. Nicknamed "Pompo" Heneage by those who served under him, he has attained some notoriety for his punctilious manner.

Life & Career

In a biography of Admiral Sir Henry Keppel, the author noted Heneage's dress sense and how he had heard criticism of it, "but let them hear a story told of him by Harry Keppel, and they will, when they next meet him, take their hat off to him, as I always do."

On February 11, 1861, Commander Fitzroy having died of fever, Heneage was appointed to the 'Falcon,' which was lying in the river, where there was nothing above the surface to be seen moving but sharks' fins. The new Commander was well got-up, as was his wont, even to kid gloves. Just as his four-oared gig was getting alongside one of the boys missed his footing and disappeared. In a moment Heneage unbuckled his sword, dived, and saved the boy. He read his commission at the capstan in his muddy suit—a good beginning—and returned on board the 'Forte ' to dine with his old chief.[1]

For this action, on the River Gambia at Sierra Leona, he was awarded the Silver Medal of the Royal Humane Society.[2]

Heneage was promoted to the rank of Captain on 26 June, 1866.[3]

On 3 January, 1881, Heneage was appointed Captain of the ironclad Hercules on 3 January, 1881.[4]

Flag Rank

Heneage was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 7 July, 1884, vice Somerset.[5] On 3 July, 1885, he was appointed Second-in-Command in the Channel Squadron, flying his flag in H.M.S. Agincourt. He assumed command on 5 July.[6]

He was appointed Commander-in-Chief on the Pacific Station on 20 September, 1887, and assumed command on 11 November, flying his flag in the Triumph.[7]

He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 29 November, 1889, vice Howard.[8]

On the occasion of the Queen's birthday, Heneage was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 25 May, 1892.[9]

Heneage was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 9 December, 1894, vice Ward.[10]

In accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 22 February, 1870 and 5 August, 1875, Heneage was placed on the Retired List on 19 March, 1898.[11]

Heneage was appointed an Additional Member of the First Class, or Knight Grand Cross, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (G.C.B.) on 26 June, 1902.[12]

See Also

Footnotes

  1. West. p. 120.
  2. The Royal Navy List (July, 1884). p. 372.
  3. The London Gazette: no. 23132. p. 3736. 29 June, 1866.
  4. The Navy List, Corrected to the 20 March, 1883. p. 216.
  5. The London Gazette: no. 25375. p. 3175. 11 July, 1884.
  6. The Navy List, Corrected to the 20th September, 1885. p. 188.
  7. The Navy List, Corrected to the 20th January, 1888. p. 187.
  8. The London Gazette: no. 25998. p. 6928. 3 December, 1889.
  9. The London Gazette: no. 26291. p. 3137. 25 May, 1892.
  10. The London Gazette: no. 26578. p. 7278. 11 December, 1894.
  11. The London Gazette: no. 26950. p. 1866. 22 March, 1898.
  12. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 27448. p. 4189. 26 June, 1902.

Bibliography

  • "Death of Admiral Sir A. Heneage" (Obituaries). The Times. Saturday, 12 June, 1915. Issue 40879, col B, p. 9.
  • Lowis, Commander Geoffrey (1959). Fabulous Admirals and Some Naval Fragments: Being a Brief Account of some of the Froth on those Characters who Enlivened the Royal Navy a Generation or Two Ago. London: Putnam.

Service Records


Naval Appointments
Preceded by
William H. Whyte
Second-in-Command, Channel Squadron
1885 – 1886
Succeeded by
The Hon. Edmund R. Fremantle

Preceded by
Sir Michael Culme-Seymour, Bart.
Commander-in-Chief on the Pacific Station
1887 – 1890
Succeeded by
Charles F. Hotham

Preceded by
Charles T. Curme
Commander-in-Chief at the Nore
1892 – 1894
Succeeded by
Richard Wells

Template:CatAdmiral