Sir Israel Pellew

Posted by Brian Stephens on Sunday 20th of April 2014 23:10

The Gentleman's Magazine, Vol 102, Part 2, Vol. 152 p.179 (published 1832)
Adm. Sir Israel Pellew. July 19. At Plymouth, alter a lingering illness, Sir Israel Pellew, K.C.B. Admiral of the Blue; brother to Lord Viscount Exmouth.
This brave and judicious officer was born about 1761, the third son of Mr. Samuel Humphrey Pellew, of Husking near Falmouth, by Constance, daughter of Mr. Edward Langford. He entered early in life into the naval service of his country; and in Jan. 1783, when commanding the Resolution cutter, of 12 guns, then stationed in the home service, captured the Flushing, a Dutch privateer of 14 guns. At the conclusion of the American war, he had obtained the rank of master and commander.
On the breaking out of the war with France, in 1793, his brother, Capt. Edward Pellew, obtained the command of .La Nymphe frigate, of 36 guns, and 200 men, on board of which ship it was his brother Israel's good fortune to serve as a volunteer in the celebrated action with the French frigate Cleopatra, of 40 guns, and 320 men, off the Start, fought on 19th of June 1793; which, after an obstinate resistance for 55 minutes, during which time the Cleopatra's mizen mast and tiller were shot away, and the captain, with the three lieutenants, and nearly 100 of her men, killed and wounded, struck her colours to la Nymphe. This brilliant action was the first naval battle during the last war, and la Nymphe having slipped out of port, and returned with her prize within a week, the country was elated with the success. Captain Israel was, in consequence, promoted to the rank of Post Captain, and appointed to command la Nymphe; his brother having been knighted, and removed to the Arelhusa, a fine new frigate of 38 guns.
Captain Israel Pellew was next appointed to the Squirrel of 20 guns, employed in the North Sea, where he remained until the spring of 1795, and then removed into the Amphion frigate, which after having served a short time in the North Sea, sustained some injury in a gale of wind, and was sent back to Plymouth to refit. Whilst the repairs were in progress, this unfortunate ship took fire and blew up, in the Harnoaze
Harbour, on the 22d of September 1796. Of 300 persons on board not more than forty were saved, several of whom were severely wounded. Capt. Pellew, bis First Lieutenant, and Capt. Swaffield, of the Overyssel, were in the cabin at dinner: the last named perished i the two former were saved from running into the quarter gallery nearest the sheer hulk, on the quarter deck of which Capt. Pellew was immediately thrown.