Lord Washington Shirley (1722-1778)

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Lord Washington Shirley (5th Earl Ferrers)

NationalityBritish 
RolesNaval Sailor 
Date of Birth26.5.1722CSORN
First Known Service10.7.1735CSORN
FatherLaurence Shirley (1693-1743)ref:952
MotherAnne Clarges (d.1782)ref:952
WifeAnne Elliot (1723-1791) - Married 1.12.1747 - St George’s, East Stonehouse, Devon ref:952
BrotherLaurence, 4th Earl Ferrers (1720-1760)ref:952
BrotherRobert, 6th Earl Ferrers (1723-1787)ref:952
BrotherRev. Walter (1726-1786)ref:952
BrotherThomas Shirley (1733-1814)ref:952
Last Known Service29.1.1778CSORN
Date of Death1.10.1778 - Chartley Manor Place, Staffordshire CSORN
Burial11.10.1778 - Staunton Harold, Leicestershire ref:1220

Event History


Date fromDate toEventSource
1738 Entered the NavyODNB
17.7.1741 Passed the Lieutenant's Examination ADM 107/3/437RNLPC
6.1.1741/42 Lieutenant ADM 6/16/1ADM 6/15
26.8.1745 Commander ADM 6/16/534ADM 6/16
26.8.17454.3.1745/46Hawk (8), Commander and Commanding Officer ADM 6/16/534ADM 6/16
19.4.1746 Captain ADM 6/17/92ODNB
19.4.174623.1.1746/47Fox (20), Captain and Commanding Officer ADM 6/17/92BWAS-1714
24.1.1746/475.12.1747Dover (44), Captain and Commanding Officer ADM 6/17/193BWAS-1714
1.12.1747 Married Anne, no childrenODNB
5.12.174722.12.1747Gloucester (50), Captain and Commanding Officer ADM 6/17/291ADM 6/17
27.1.1747/4815.4.1751Fame (30), Captain and Commanding Officer ADM 6/17/315BWAS-1714
3.1.175420.1.1754Bridgewater (24), Captain and Commanding Officer ADM 6/18/86ADM 6/18
20.1.17548.11.1756Mermaid (24), Captain and Commanding Officer ADM 6/18/88BWAS-1714
22.5.175514.6.1755British attack on Fort Beauséjour 
8.11.175617.2.1757Monmouth (70), Captain and Commanding Officer ADM 6/18/320ADM 6/18
7.3.175810.1.1759Duc d'Aquitaine (64), Captain and Commanding Officer ADM 6/18/493BWAS-1714
5.6.175812.6.1758Raid on Saint-Malo 
10.1.175922.2.1760Temple (68), Captain and Commanding Officer ADM 6/19/21BWAS-1714
20.11.1759 Battle of Quiberon Bay 
5.5.1760 Succeeded as 5th Earl Ferrersref:952
14.12.17611.10.1778Elected a Fellow of the Royal Societyref:1220
31.3.1775 Rear-Admiral of the White ADM 6/21/83ODNB
7.12.1775 Vice-Admiral of the Blue ADM 6/21/155ADM 6/21
29.1.1778 Vice-Admiral of the White ADM 6/21/359ODNB
Previous comments on this page

Posted by Albert Parker on Sunday 1st of September 2019 20:48

This officer will be found in biographical dictionaries and Charnock, Biographia Navalis, under his title (under "F" for "Ferrers"). He was childless and was succeeded by two younger brothers, but the title is still in existence, held by the 14th earl (born 1952).

Posted by David Stockman on Tuesday 21st of July 2015 02:59

Please use "Renown" instead of "Fame". The Admiralty changed the name before Washington took command. Previous to becoming a RN ship he captured her from the French in Sept. of 1747 and was named then la Renommée. He requested to command her and it was approved. Thanks!

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