Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy

Posted by Brian Stephens on Sunday 20th of April 2014 23:00

The United Service Magazine, p.383 Published 1839.
Vice-admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Bart, G.C.B.
The esteemed friend—the confidential companion—the receiver of the dying embrace and expiring words of the immortal Nelson,—such, as is well known, was the subject of our present memoir; but although the posthumous fame of Sir Thomas Hardy might securely rest on these associations, and to his own modest and unassuming spirit would form, perhaps, the proudest epitaph upon his tomb, it is to his own individual merits and eminent services that we purpose to devote the following pages.
Of his entrance into, and progress through, the junior grades of the profession, little that can be relied upon has hitherto reached the public, —his decided objection to being made " the subject of a book," precluding the opportunity of obtaining such information of a sufficiently authentic character. It is the more gratifying to us, therefore, to have been favoured, from an unquestionable source, with the particulars of his naval career from its commencement.
Sir Thomas was born at a small town near Dorchester, called Martin's Town, on the 5th of April, 1769, his father being a landed proprietor of some note,—and at the age of twelve years entered the naval service as a midshipman on board the Helena brig. of 14 guns, commanded by Captain Francis Roberts. We submit a copy of an original letter written by the subject of our memoir at the age of thirteen.
"Helena, Dorset Downs, Mar. 6,1782. "Dear Brother,—I received your letter of the 18th of last month, and was glad to hear that father, mother, sisters, and brother, and all our relations were well. We anchored here yesterday from Ostend, where we went with a convoy, and to bring one back. I was going to write to father when we were at Portsmouth, but our sailing from there so soon prevented me, and my having so much to say. We put in there from chasing another privateer, which got away again after having struck, owing to very bad weather—so bad that we could not hoist out our boat, and it being very dark. The boy and Bounce are safe on board. I was very angry with Bounce; he would not know me till I had put on my old coat. Captain Roberts likes him very much. The Captain has promised, when an opportunity offers, to send me home to go to school for some time, to learn navigation, and everything else which is proper for a sailor; therefore, should be glad if you would ask father to look out for a good school for me, as I am now resolved to learn everything as fast as I can. Direct to me in the Downs, as that is the place we always come to after our cruise is out. Captain Roberts desires his best compliments to you and all our family. My duty to father, mother, and aunt Hardy, and love to sisters and brother John; and am,
"Dear brother, yours affectionately,
"Thomas Masterman Hardy."
On the other page of the letter is written the following, by his Captain:—
"Dear Sir,—I am happy to hear, by your letter to Thomas, that all your family are well. 1 thank you for your information of my friends; I have by the same post received letters from them. Am glad to inform you that Thomas is a very good boy, and I think will make a complete seaman one day or other. He is now very desirous of learning; and please to make my compliments to your father, and tell him I think in two or three months, if he approves of it, and can procure him a good school, to send him home for an education; as it is impossible for him to learn everything that is proper for him on board ship. We were glad to find the dog safe; I think him a very fine one. My best compliments to yourself and family.