James Spratt
Encyclopedia
Commander James Spratt (1771–1853), was an officer in the Royal Navy
and became known as one of the heroes of the Battle of Trafalgar
. Spratt was also the father of Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt
, English vice-admiral, hydrographer and geologist.
Commander James Spratt was famous for having dived into the sea from the , swimming cutlass in teeth to the French 74-gun Aigle, boarding her single handed. Climbing in through a stern window, he found his way to the French poop deck and threw himself on the French crew, one man against several hundred. In the melee he killed two French seamen, and was grappling with a third when he fell from the poop deck to the main deck, killing his opponent but injuring himself badly. He was saved by the timely arrival of a full boarding party from the Defiance, but his gallantry cost him his career. His wounds left him with one leg shorter than the other and he retired to Teignmouth
, Devon
where he became renowned as a long distance swimmer.
It was in Woodway House
, Teignmouth that his son Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt
was born in 1811 and at the age of 16 entered into the Royal Navy. (Excerpt from the book, the Ulysees Voyage by Oxford Professor Tim Severin
.)
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and became known as one of the heroes of the Battle of Trafalgar
Battle of Trafalgar
The Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars ....
. Spratt was also the father of Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt
Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt
Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt was an English vice-admiral, hydrographer and geologist.He was born at Woodway House, East Teignmouth, the eldest surviving son of Commander James Spratt, RN, a hero of Trafalgar. He entered the navy in 1827 and was attached to the surveying branch on "HMS Victory"...
, English vice-admiral, hydrographer and geologist.
Commander James Spratt was famous for having dived into the sea from the , swimming cutlass in teeth to the French 74-gun Aigle, boarding her single handed. Climbing in through a stern window, he found his way to the French poop deck and threw himself on the French crew, one man against several hundred. In the melee he killed two French seamen, and was grappling with a third when he fell from the poop deck to the main deck, killing his opponent but injuring himself badly. He was saved by the timely arrival of a full boarding party from the Defiance, but his gallantry cost him his career. His wounds left him with one leg shorter than the other and he retired to Teignmouth
Teignmouth
Teignmouth is a town and civil parish in Teignbridge in the English county of Devon, situated on the north bank of the estuary mouth of the River Teign about 14 miles south of Exeter. It has a population of 14,413. In 1690, it was the last place in England to be invaded by a foreign power...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
where he became renowned as a long distance swimmer.
It was in Woodway House
Woodway House
Woodway House is in Teignmouth, South Devon, England. It was at one time a farm on lands held by the Bishops of Exeter. In around 1815 a thatched 'cottage' in the 'cottage orne' style of Horace Walpole's Thames-side villa, Strawberry Hill, was built here by Captain James Spratt R.N.Walpole built...
, Teignmouth that his son Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt
Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt
Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt was an English vice-admiral, hydrographer and geologist.He was born at Woodway House, East Teignmouth, the eldest surviving son of Commander James Spratt, RN, a hero of Trafalgar. He entered the navy in 1827 and was attached to the surveying branch on "HMS Victory"...
was born in 1811 and at the age of 16 entered into the Royal Navy. (Excerpt from the book, the Ulysees Voyage by Oxford Professor Tim Severin
Tim Severin
Tim Severin is a British explorer, historian and writer. Severin is noted for his work in retracing the legendary journeys of historical figures. Severin was awarded both the Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society and the Livingstone Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society...
.)
Further reading
- J. K. Laughton, ‘Spratt, James (1771–1853)’, rev. Andrew Lambert, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/26174, accessed 9 May 2009 (available online to subscribers, including most UK public libraries)
- Severin, Tim. The Ulyssees Voyage