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Sir Hugh Palliser, 1st Baronet (22 February, 1722 – 19 March, 1796) was an 18th-century governor of Newfoundland, born at Kirk Deighton, West Yorkshire, England died in Buckinghamshire.
Naval career
Palliser was an officer in the Royal Navy.
- Orphaned at a young age he first served under his uncle Nicholas Robinson, aboard HMS Aldborough - when he was just eleven years old.
- In September 1741 he was promoted to Lieutenant.
- In 1746 he was promoted to Captain of HMS Captain.
- During the War of the Austrian Succession he was wounded while in command of the HMS Sutherland - he experienced pain in his left leg from this wound for the rest of his life.
- During the Seven Years' War he took command of the HMS Eagle.
- In 1759 he took command of the HMS Shrewsbury, during the siege of Quebec, where he commanded a landing party.
- In 1762 he was sent in command of a squadron in response to the French capture of St. John's.
- In 1764 Commodore Palliser was appointed Governor of Newfoundland, a post he held for four years.
- From 1770 to 1776 Palliser became Comptroller of the Navy. During his term he helped outfit several voyages of exploration, including those of Cook.
- In 1773 Palliser was created a Baronet.
- In 1774 he was elected to Parliament from the Borough of Scarborough.
- In 1775 he was promoted to Rear Admiral, a promotion that depended solely on seniority. Shortly thereafter he became one of the Lords of the Admiralty. In addition he was appointed Lieutenant General of Marines, a sinecure.
- In 1778 he was promoted to Vice Admiral, another promotion that depended on seniority. He was placed third in command of the Home Fleet.
- Bad blood over his role in an indecisive battle off Ushant lead to his dismissal. A mob attacked his London house. He resigned his seat in Parliament, and his other posts.
- In 1780 Lord Sandwich, the First Lord of the Admiralty, appointed him Governor of Greenwich Hospital, another sinecure, which he held for the rest of his life. He was also re-elected to Parliament, for the borough of Huntingdon, from 1780 to 1784.
- Palliser's seniority brought him promotion to full Admiral in 1787.
Governor of Newfoundland
Palliser served as Governor of Newfoundland, and Commodore of the Newfoundland squadron from 1764 to 1768.
Palliser took active steps to restrict the French to their treaty fishing right. He worked to cultivate friendly relations with the native people of Labrador. He took steps to restrict further settlement of Newfoundland, to support the fishers based in Britain, who paid taxes in Britain, and who trained seamen who could serve in the Royal Navy in Times of war.
Association with James Cook
James Cook, who was later to become a famous explorer of the Pacific and Southern Oceans, had previously served under Palliser, as a Master's Mate, when Palliser was Captain of the HMS Eagle. The previous Governor of Newfoundland, Thomas Graves, had appointed Cook to survey the Newfoundland coast. But Cook completed his survey during Palliser's administration. Cook's very accurate maps continued to be used for over two hundred years.
During his term as Comptroller Palliser helped outfit Cook's voyages of exploration.
Cook named the Palliser Isles and Cape Palliser after his "worthy friend".
See also
External link
1722 births | 1796 deaths | Baronets in the Baronetage of Great Britain | British MPs | Newfoundland colonial leaders | Canadian historical figures
"Hugh Palliser"