Capt Henry HAND R.N. [9462]

  General Notes:

Henry joined the Royal Navy in 1854 as a mate/sub Lieutenant on HMS Amphitrite. Served in the Crimean war on HMS Devastation part of an eleven strong squadron assigned to destroy Russian frigates in the north Pacific. Promoted Lieutenant 14 Jan 1857 and posted to HMS Vesuvius. His cousin Robert Henry Molyneux was a naval cadet and midshipman on the Vesuvius at the same time.
PRO:ADM 196/14/616

Served successively on HMS Buffalo,Archer,Tortoise, Brune, Alecto,Bloodhound, Hecate, 2^1/2 years. Himalaya, Duke of Wellington.
29 June 1866 Lieut. Commander of HMS Oberon (a 4 gun steel paddle sloop of 1055 tons) on the west coast of Africa. Promoted commander 25 Oct 1867. Served HMS Hector, Endurion. Acting captain of HMS Barrosa 1869. Commander HMS Endymion (a wooden 36 gun frigate of 3200 tons) 25 May 1869 on detached squadron (the Flying Squadron on a world cruise including Australia) under the command of Capt. Edward Lacy. 1872/75 HMS Vincent (took over from his cousin Robert More Molyneux, who was promoted Captain of HMS Duncan) then on 14 July 1875 commanded HMS Vestal (a 4 gun Amazon class wooden sloop of 1597 tons) from her commissioning in Portsmouth to the East Indies. Promoted full captain 18 April 1877 and appointed to HMS Euphrates, Malabar, Crocodile, Garnet, and Urgent until retirement in November 1889.

Notes for COMMODORE RN CAPT. HENRY HAND:
Joined the RN in 1854 as a mate/sub Lieutenant on HMS Amphitrite. Served in the Crimean war HMS Devastation part of an eleven strong squadron assigned to destroy Russian frigates in the north Pacific. Promoted Lieutenant 14 Jan1857 and posted to HMS Vesuvius. His cousin Robert Henry Molyneux was a naval cadet and midshipman on the Vesuvius at the same time.(PRO:ADM 196/14/616). Served successively on HMS Buffalo,Archer,Tortoise, Brune, Alecto,Bloodhound, Hecate (2 1/2 years). Himalaya,Duke of Wellington. 29 June 1866 Lieut. Commander of HMS Oberon (a 4 gun steel paddle sloop of 1055 tons)on the west coast of Africa. Promoted commander 25 Oct 1867. Served HMS Hector, Endurion. Acting captain of HMS Barrosa 1869. Commander HMS Endymion (a wooden 36 gun frigate of 3200 tons) 25 May 1869 on detached squadron (the Flying Squadron on a world cruise including Australia) under the command of Capt. Edward Lacy. 1872/75 HMS Vincent (took over from his cousin Robert More Molyneux! who was promoted Captain of HMS Duncan) then on 14 July 1875 commanded HMS Vestal (a 4 gun Amazon class wooden sloop of 1597 tons) from her commissioning in Portsmouth to the East Indies. Promoted full captain 18 April 1877 and appointed to HMS Euphrates, Malabar & the Crocodile (Troopships),Garnet, and Urgent until retirement in November 1889. Died one month after at his home 19 Queen's Terrace, Southampton.

Probate Calendar:
Hand Henry 22 Jan 1890 The Will of Henry Hand late of 19 Queens Tce Southampton, Commander R N who died 10 Dec 1889 at 19 Queens Tce Southampton was proved Principle Record Office by John Packenham Stillwell of 21 Great George St Westminster MDX Navy Agent one of the executors. Estate L5598 16s 6d.

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 7 Jun 1841, Holy Trinity School Guildford. Henry is recorded as aged 8 born SRY he is at a small school.

2. Census: England, 2 Apr 1871, Clarence Pl Portsea HAM. Henry is recorded a head of house married aged 36 a Cmmdr RN active born Guildford SRY

3. Census: England, 3 Apr 1881, At Sea HMS Euphrates. Henry is recorded as the ship's Captain married aged 45 born Catherine Hele House nr. Guildford SRY.

Henry married Anna McCHEANE [9463] [MRIN: 3272], daughter of John McCHEANE J.P. [9477] and Margaret CORBETT [9478], on 17 Jan 1866 in St Jude Portsea HAM. (Anna McCHEANE [9463] was born in Mar 1845 in Portsmouth HAM and died after 1901 in Greenwich LND.)