Rear Admiral George FOWKE of Sible Hedingham ESS [35205]

  General Notes:

MEMOIR OF THE SERVICES OF THE LATE REAR-ADMIRAL, FOWKE.
On Monday April 2nd, died, rather suddenly, at his residence, Sible Hedingham, Essex, George Fowke, Esq. Rear-Admiral of the Red. This officer had attended divine service with his family the preceding day, both morning and evening, and retired to his bed apparently in good health. About three o'clock in the morning he was taken ill, and exclaimed to Mrs. Fowke, " Oh ! my back l" and instantly the vital spark had ceased to exist. The cause of this unexpected dissolution is said to have been produced by an affection of the heart. Mr. Fowke entered the Navy rather young, and having gone through the classes of Midshipman and Master's Mate, was, November 22nd 1790, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. In March following, he was appointed Lieutenant of the Spitfire sloop, Capt. Fremantle; and in March 1793 nominated to Prince, of 98 guns, Capt (afterwards Lord) Collingwood, and bearing the flag of rear Admiral Lord Howe. At the end of the same year, Capt. Collingwood removed into the Barfleur, and took with him Lieut. Fowke, from which ship he was appointed, in July 1794 to the Glory, Capt J Bourmister, both ships forming part of the Channel fleet. Lt Fowke did not remain any long period in the Glory and in September of the same year, became one of the Lieutenants of the Santa Margaretta, Capt. Eliab Harvey, attached to the advanced squadron off Brest, under the orders of Sir John Borlase Warren. On the 29th September 1795, Lieut. Fowke was promoted to the rank of Commander, and to command the Swallow, a fir built sloop, of 18 guns. The Swallow was for a short time attached to the North Sea fleet, and subsequently was ordered to the Leeward Islands, and placed under the orders of Rear-Admiral Henry Harvey. From this station, the Swallow went to Jamaica to be attached to the squadron under the command of Vice-Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, on both of which stations several captures were made.
The 9th July 1798, Capt. Fowke obtained his Post rank; and in November of that year, was appointed to the Proselyte, of 32 guns, in the room of Capt J. Loring. The Proselyte was also belonging to the Jamaica station, and from thence sent to Barbados.; to join the Leeward Island squadron, and for the reduction of St. Martin's was one of the ships that conveyed the troops under the orders of
brigadier generals Maitland and Fuller. St Martin's capitulated on 4 September 1801; and the Proselyte was lost off that island.
Capt. Fowke was in September 1807, nominated superintendent of the ships fitted for the reception of prisoners of war in the river Medway, and appointed to the Rochester, from which ship he was removed into the Irresistible, in March 1808, on the same service. On the appointment of Admiral Sir Richard H. Bickerton, in April 1812, as Commander-in-chief at Portsmouth, Capt. Fowke was appointed to the Royal William, the flag-ship, but that ship, the age of which was unknown, although it could be traced back as far as October 1679, when she came into harbour to be laid up in ordinary, was found so defective as to be unfit for further service, and in 1813 was broken up. The Prince, of 98 guns, was then fitted for the reception of Sir Richard H. Bickerton's flag, and Capt. Fowke appointed to command her, which he continued to do until the period of the Adml's command expired.
In October 1819, Capt. Fowke was appointed to superintend the Ordinary at Sheerness, which he held for three years, when he was superseded.
A promotion of Flag Officers taking place on 27 May 1825, Capt Fowke became rear Adml of the blue, but never hoisted his flag
He has left a widow and several children, one of whom, it is understood, is a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.
Ref: The United Service Magazine.

George married Mary Magdalen KELSALL [35206] [MRIN: 12705] on 24 Jul 1797 in Nassau Bahamas. (Mary Magdalen KELSALL [35206] was born on 22 Dec 1774 in South Carolina USA and died in 1844 in Sible Hedingham ESS.)