Nelson & His World

Searching for Lieutenant James Woodward RN (born 1767.)

This gentleman, who made an appearance in an earlier thread 'A Ship Called the Lion', has just made a surprising re-appearance in a batch of research I've been doing around a completely different subject.

In the thread 'A Ship Called The Lion' Mark wrote:



James Woodward, it seems, had served with Nelson at the Battle of the Nile as a Second Lieutenant, but the information I've come across provides no clues about his background, his ship at the Nile, or his later career.

I'd be most interested and grateful to know a little more about Woodward and his career after 1798 up to Nelson's death in 1805 - particularly whether he was ever at Naples or Palermo?

Can anyone help?

James Woodward was promoted lieutenant on the 28th November 1800, which presents a problem with him being a lieutenant at the Battle of the Nile! If he was born in 1767, it would also make him about 33 years old when promoted lieutenant.

However, he was a lieutenant in the Tigre (Captain Sir William Sidney Smith) at the landings at Aboukir Bay on the 8th March 1801. Sidney Smith had sailed for the Mediterranean in the Tigre in late 1798, and as far as I know, did not return to England until 1801, so it is quite likely that Woodward was already in the Mediterranean in 1800 when he was promoted. The best source for his previous service is likely to be his lieutenant’s passing certificate.

Steel’s List for September 1805 has Lt James Woodward commanding the gun-vessel Nieuport, stationed at the River Colne (probably the one in Essex!).

Hope that helps a little.

James Woodward must have been an Acting Lieutenant before he received his commission: he is shown commanding the Gunvessel (converted River Barge) BELLONA October 1796 to May 1798. The Bellona was based at Woolwich for the Thames Estuary.

He commanded the NIEUPORT gunvessel June 1803 to December 1805, which was based in the river Colne.

There are some very useful and interesting points here, Tony and PN, and many thanks indeed.

From your comments, would it be unusual for an officer to be made up to Lieutenant in their late twenties or early thirties?

Four years (at least) also seems to be a long time to serve as an acting Lieutenant - would that be unusual too?

The gap in service between leaving the Bellona in May 1798, and late in 1798 when the Tigre set out to the Mediterranean is quite tantalising, and I'll keep endeavouring to fill it in.

It was interesting to see the River Colne crop up, as Woodward was a native of Essex!

Was it a common occurence for officers to be able to serve so close to home? The reason I wonder about this is that Woodward is described as a gentleman farmer with landholdings in Essex during the time he was also on active service.

Mira!

A preliminary foray into your questions.

Q. Would it be unusual for an officer to be made up to Lieutenant in their late twenties or early thirties?

A. Admiralty regulations stipulated that to be promoted to lieutenant, a man had to be 20 years old and have 6 years certificated sea time. Ie, it was expected that a boy would enter at 13, take the exam at (say) 19 and be promoted at 20.

Inevitably 20 was the minimum age for promotion. The average was probably a little higher though, in time of war when there was plenty of movement, not much. Officers could be expected to be promoted promptly if a) they had 'interest' and influential persons lobbing for them, and b) they were of outstanding ability or had show particular courage in action.

Thus the average officer of the 'middling class' engaged on boring blockade duties would not expect promotion until mid-20s.

There were a group whose promotion was delayed until their late 20s or mid-30s. (If they got it at all) These, alas, were those who were lacking in competence and/or could not be entrusted with higher rank because of drink (a common problem). You must recall that an incompetent officer on a sailing ship was a threat to the lives of all.

Q. Four years (at least) also seems to be a long time to serve as an acting Lieutenant - would that be unusual too?

A. Not in cases of doubtful competence or drink

If Woodward was court martialled for drunkenness - then you have your answer to his lack of career success. If he were a minor landowner in Essex then he would have had some of the 'interest' needed for promotion. Does he really call himself a 'gentleman farmer'? I have never seen the term used at this time. Normally, officers only described themselves or their fathers as 'gentlemen' so as to demonstrate their social acceptability. The 'farmer' bit smacks of trade and earning your living (see your Jane Austen!)

Brian