Home > John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent

John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent ( 1735- 1823) was an admiral in the British Royal Navy. He was Commander-in-chief of the British Mediterranean Fleet from 1796 to 1799 and defeated the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent (1797). He was later created the Earl of St Vincent, and became First Lord of the Admiralty.

• 1735 9th of January Born at Meaford in Staffordshire
• 1749 4th of January Entered the navy
• 1755 19th of February commissioned lieutenant, took part in the conquest of Quebec
• 1759 Made Commander of the "Scorpion" (sloop)
• 1760 Promoted to Post-Captain
• comanded the "Alarm" (32) in the Mediterranean
• Half pay
• Commanded "Fourroyant" (80) in the Channel during War of American Independence taking part in
• 1778 Took part in Battle of Ushant
• Took part in the various reliefs of Gibraltar
• 1782 19th of April captured the French "Pegase" (74) after a long chase. for this action he was made K.B.
• 1783Events February 3 American Revolutionary War: Spain recognizes United States independence. February 4 American Revolutionary War: Great Britain formally declares that it will cease hostilities with the United States of America. May 18 Saint John, New Brun Entered ParliamentAlternative meanings: Parliamentary system, Parliament (band), Parliament (cigarette). A parliament is a legislative body, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system derived from that of the United Kingdom. as member for Launceston he supports the Whig Party
• 1784Events January 6 the Turks agree to Russia's annexation of the Crimea in the Treaty of Constantinople January 14 The U. Congress ratifies the Treaty of Paris with England to end the American Revolutionary War February 27 Count of St Germain dies of pneumo Entered Parliament as member for Yarmouth
• 1787Events In Britain, Thomas Clarkson and Granville Sharp formed the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade with support from John Wesley, Josiah Wedgwood and others. January 11 William Herschel discovers Titania and Oberon, two moons of Uranus. Februa 24th of September attained flag rankA flank rank is one of naval officer ranks that permit its holder to fly a flag to represent where he exercises his command. This commonly means the ranks of Rear-Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral, or Admiral of the Fleet. The term can also be used as part o
• 1788Events January 1 First edition of The Times previously The Daily Universal Register was published. January 2 Georgia ratifies the United States Constitution and becomes the 4th U. January 9 Connecticut ratifies the United States Constitution and becomes t June 5 Married his cousin Martha Parker eldest daughter of the right hon. Thomas Parker
• 1793Events January 2 Russia and Prussia partition Poland January 9 Jean-Pierre Blanchard becomes the first to fly in a balloon in the United States. January 21 After being found guilty of treason by the French Convention, "Citizen Capet" ie. Louis XVI of Fran In the West Indies co-operating with the army in the conquest of the French islands.
• 1795Events January 16 French occupy Utrecht, Netherlands. January 20 French troops enter Amsterdam and later proclaim Batavian Republic. January 23 Dutch fleet freezes in Issel Meer. February 7 The 11th Amendment to the United States Constitution is passed. On return to UK he is promoted admiral. In November he took command in the Mediterranean, where he maintained the blockade of Toulon, and aided the allies of Great Britain in Italy.
• 1796 Chief duty was to watch the Spanish fleet at Cadiz.
• 1797 Gained a victory against heavy odds at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent (1797).
• 1799 Health broke and he resigned his command.
• 1800 Health recovers and he takes command of the Channel fleet.
• 1801 Became First Lord of the Admiralty
• 1803 Lost the office when Pitt returns to power
• 1806 Took command of the Channel fleet.
• 1807 Resigned command of the Channel fleet
• 1811 Retired to his house at Rochetts in Essex.
• 1816 Wife dies childless
• 1821 Is conferred the rank of Admiral of the Fleet on the coronation of George IV.
• 1823 14th of March died

There is a monument to him in St Pauls Cathedral, and portraits of him at different periods of his life are numerous.

"I do not say, my Lords, that the French will not come. I say only they will not come by sea". addressing the House of Lords as First Lord of the Admiralty in 1801.

From EB11

The spirit of the Spithead and Nore mutinies (1797) spread to the fleet under St Vincent, and there was an undoubted danger that some outbreak would take place in his command. The peril was averted by his foresight and severity. He had always taken great care of the health of his men, and was as strict with the officers as with sailors. It must in justice be added that he was peculiarly fitted for the work. We have ample evidence from his contemporaries that he found a pleasure in insulting officers whom he disliked, as well as in hanging and flogging those of his men who offended him. He carried his strictness with his officers to an extent which aroused the actual hatred of many among them, and exasperated Sir John Orde into challenging him to fight a duel. Yet he cannot be denied the honor of having raised the discipline of the navy to a higher level than it had reached before; he was always ready to promote good officers, and the efficiency of the squadron with which Nelson won the Battle of the Nile was largely due to him.