Nelson & His World

Does anyone have any information on Lord Charles Fitzgerald and Lord Gerald Fitzgerald? They were both sons of the Duke of Leinster and his wife, formerly Lady Emily Lennox, daughter of the Duke of Richmond, so they had much 'interest', one assumes, when they joined the navy. They are mentioned only in passing in a book I am reading about their family, and nothing is said about their careers other than that Lord Gerald 'disappeared' at sea. Their brother was Lord Edward Fitzgerald, the Irish revolutionary, who died of wounds he received when resisting arrest after the abortive rebellion in 1798. I am not sure whether the troubles in Ireland co-incided with the brothers' service as no dates are given. If so, it would be interesting to know whether the connection with a revolutionary hampered their careers.

I can offer the following details -

Charles Fitzgerald (1) - born 30 June 1756, third son of the Duke of Leinster - commissioned as a Lieutenant 13 May 1778; commanded HMS Tapageur 1779- 80; promoted Captain 23 May 1780; commanded HMS Sybil 1780-81, HMS Centaur 1781 and HMS Prudente 1782-83; on half-pay until took command of HMS Oiseau 1793; HMS Artois 1794 and HMS Brunswick 1794-96. Promoted Rear Admiral 14 February 1799 and Vice Admiral 23 April 1804, but I cannot find that he ever served at sea as a flag officer - he died 17 Feb 1810 of dropsy

The only mention I can find of Gerald Fitzgerald, was that he was lost at sea in 1788 as a 22 year old Midshipman


There was another Charles F in the Navy =

Charles Fitzgerald - son of Robert FitzGerald of Kilkee, co. Clare, junior member of the ancient Norman-Irish FitzGerald family, earls of Kildare and dukes of Leinster - joined the navy in 1809 but he was not commissioned until 1826; From 1833 to 1836 he commanded HMS Cruiser and Belvidera, engaged in anti-slavery work on the North American and West Indian stations; in 1837, he took command of HMS Buzzard, again on anti-slavery work; in 1840 was invalided home, promoted commander, and put on half pay. In 1844 FitzGerald was appointed governor of the Gambia and in 1847 he was appointed governor of Western Australia; after leaving the colony in July 1855, retired to Kilkee where he died on 29 December 1887.

Many thanks for those details, P-N. It would appear that Charles made post captain some years before his brother's revolutionary activities, so his progress would not have been hampered.

I believe that the proportion of officers from aristocratic backgrounds in Nelson's navy compared with those from the middle class/minor gentry like Nelson himself, increased towards the end of the 18th century when the younger sons of the aristocracy were attracted to naval service by the prospect of amassing fortunes in prize money. Is this just a general impression or has anyone done any serious 'number crunching' on this topic?