William Gordon (Royal Navy officer, born 1705)

Rear Admiral William Gordon (1705 – 17 April 1769) was a Royal Navy officer who became Commander-in-Chief, The Nore.

For Vice Admiral William Gordon, see William Gordon (Royal Navy officer).

William Gordon
Rear Admiral William Gordon
Born1705
Elgin, Moray
Died17 April 1769
Banff, Aberdeenshire
Buried
St Mary's Kirkyard, Banff
Allegiance Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch Royal Navy
RankRear Admiral
Commands heldHMS Blenheim
Nore Command
Battles/warsSeven Years' War

Promoted to captain, Gordon became commanding officer of the 24-gun HMS Sheerness, and working with Lord George Graham commanding the 24-gun HMS Bridgewater and the armed vessel Ursula under Lieutenant Fergusson, he came across three large privateers from Dunkirk, sailing in company with their prizes on 2 July 1745. They had taken seven prizes, and were taking them into Dunkirk. The British force attacked them early in the morning of 3 July 1745. After a fierce fight lasting until 4am, four of the prizes surrendered to the Sheerness and the Ursula captured the remaining three prizes.[1]

Gordon served at the Battle of Louisbourg in June 1758 and at the Capture of Quebec in September 1759 during the Seven Years' War. He went on to be commanding officer of the second-rate HMS Blenheim in July 1761.[2] Promoted to Commodore, he became Commander-in-Chief, The Nore in April 1762.[3] He was promoted to Rear Admiral of the White[4] and is buried at St Mary's Kirkyard in Banff.[5]

Personal life

Carmelite House, at 28 Low Street in Banff, was built in 1753 for Gordon.[6]

  • Carmelite House in Banff, Gordon's former home

References
  1. Charnock. Biographia Navalis. p. 24.
  2. "Age of Nelson". Michael Phillips. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  3. Maitlan, William Fuller (1762). "The London Chronicle, Volume 11".
  4. "Admiral's tomb ship-shape again". Banffshire Journal. 27 December 2006. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  5. "Admiral William Gordon". Find a grave. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  6. McKean, Charles (1990). Banff & Buchan: An Illustrated Architectural Guide. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publications Ltd. p. 13. ISBN 185158-231-2.


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