An Adored Commander

[anteros_lmc]

On the 15th of June 1780, 233 years ago today, a British frigate sighted a strange sail off the northern coat of France and gave chace. The frigate was the Apollo, 32, Captain Philemon Pownoll and the chase, the French 32 gun frigate Stanislaus. The Stanislaus attempted to flee for Ostend but Appollo closed and engaged her in a brisk action. About an hour into the engagement Captain Pownoll was was killed on his own quarterdeck by a French shot and command of the frigate devolved to his first lieutenant, Edward Pellew. The Stainslaus continued to run for Ostend where she struck off the harbour and claiemd the protection of the neutral port.

After the engagement, Pellew wrote a distraught letter to the First Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Sandwich, in which he lamented the loss of his captain, friend and patron.

The loss of Captain Pownoll will be severely felt. The ship's company have lost a father. I have lost much more, a father and a friend united; and that friend my only one on earth. Never, my lord, was grief more poignant than that we all feel for an adored commander. Mine is inexpressible....It was ever my study and will always be so, to pursue his glorious footsteps. How far I may succeed, I know not; but while he lived I enjoyed the greatest blessing, that of being patronised by him."

Although this letter is often quoted, two of Pellew's sons maintained that their father never actually sent it to the First Lord. However that does nothing to diminish the heartfelt nature of the sentiments and I think it's fair to say that Pellew did indeed have considerable success in following in Pownoll's footsteps, not just as a brilliant frigate commander, but also as a patron of many other young officers, who in turn followed in his own footsteps.

Comments

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

The good that Captain Pownell did lived after him.

Wonderful how it came through Pellew and on into the world over time.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

The good that Captain Pownell did lived after him.
Yes, definitely. And I can't help wondering if it's still working even now :)

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

A lovely letter there.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Isn't it? Considering Pellew had only rudimentary schooling, he really did write the most eloquent and moving letters.

[vespican.livejournal.com]

I wonder if Pownoll's character and actions were because of what someone before him had done to instill these traits in him? I think a lot of things like that are passed one from on generation to another. At times it might be because an individual determines that the way he's seen it done isn't the right way, and seeks to change things for the better.

One a somewhat related note, I was once told that the way aircraft are handled on the deck of a carrier can be traced to the first flight deck crew. They establish the patterns and as the crew evolves and changes, those moves remain.
Dave

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I wonder if Pownoll's character and actions were because of what someone before him had done to instill these traits in him?
Pownoll served as Boscawen's first lieutenant aboard Namur during the Seven Years War, so he certainly learned his trade from one of the best.

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

Yes I think there was a tradition that these officers were aware of and in their various ways tried hard to honour - and I think for Boscawen and Pownoll and Ned and his "boys grown to manhood" there was as much learned from seeing the mentor in both action and frustration and in danger and routine - as John Gazes comment about the Brest blockade illustrates.