A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Plunkett, Edward
PLUNKETT. (Captain, 1846.)
The Honourable Edward Plunkett, born 29 Nov. 1808, is second son of Lord Dunsany, by his first wife, Charlotte Louisa, youngest daughter of Nicholas, first Lord Cloncurry; and nephew, by marriage, of Capt. Jas. Ryder Burton, R.N. This officer entered the Navy 4 Oct. 1823; served as Midshipman in the boats of the Sybille 48, Capt. Sam. John Brooke Pechell, in a severe encounter with the pirates in the Grecian Archipelago in 1826; passed his examination in 1830; and obtained his first commission 24 Aug. 1834. His succeeding appointments were, 10 Sept. 1834, to the Castor 36, Capts. Lord John Hay and Wm. Robertson, and, 19 Jan. 1837 and 16 July, 1838, to the command of the 10-gun brigs Royalist and Savage. In the three vessels last mentioned he served on the coast of Spain during the civil war from 1835 until promoted to the rank of Commander 1 Aug. 1840. He was subsequently, from 9 Oct. 1843 until June, 1845, employed on particular service in the Stromboli steamer; and, on 9 Nov. 1846, was advanced to his present rank.
Capt. Plunkett, in 1846, published a pamphlet much prized, entitled ‘The Past and Future of the British Navy.’ Agent – Joseph Woodhead.