Gordon, Samuel

Samuel Gordon (1775-1826), son of Thomas and Catherine Gordon of Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, was baptised in the local Protestant church on 24 June 1775. He entered service with the Royal Navy as an able seaman with HMS Artois in 1794, and joined HMS Duke as a midshipman in 1796, transferring to HMS Veteran, a third rate of 64 guns, as master's mate in 1797. Between 1797 and 1798 the Veteran served in the North Sea with the fleet under Admiral Lord Duncan (1731-1804). During the Battle of Camperdown, 11 October 1797, the ship was part of a fleet of sixteen that engaged Admiral de Winter's Dutch fleet of fifteen ships, which had been lying behind the Texel. After an engagement lasting two hours, half the Dutch fleet was captured, although many of the prizes were severely damaged. During the battle, the Veteran successfully engaged the Gelijkheid, and captured and took in tow the Delft, which later sank after its masts collapsed overboard. After returning to Yarmouth and the Nore for lengthy repairs, the Veteran rejoined the fleet stationed off the Texel, then engaged in blockading the Dutch remnants.

In 1799 the Veteran was turned into a prison ship, and 1809 it is was hulked. Gordon passed as a lieutenant in February 1801, aged 25, but served as a midshipman on HMS London during the Copenhagen expedition of that year. His rank as lieutenant was confirmed in July 1801. Following a series of acting commissions, he was given a permanent post as a lieutenant on HMS Prince Frederick with the Channel fleet in 1803. Gordon served as lieutenant on HMS Sprightly, 1805-1810, before he was appointed lieutenant of the cutter Dwarf, stationed at Plymouth. Under his command, the Dwarf captured an American schooner, the Charlotte, on 4 November 1813. Gordon was paid off on 28 August 1818, and granted the rank of commander on 19 July 1821. He died at the Royal Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, in November 1826.

From the guide to the Samuel Gordon: Naval log book, 1797-1798, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)

Epithet: of Newark

Title: 1st Baronet

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000766.0x0001f9