Captain Pipon’s subsequent interesting cruise in the South Seas has been fully described at pp. 95–104 of this volume. His last appointment was, April 4, 1824, to the Britannia, a first rate, bearing the flag of Sir James Saumarez, Commander-in-chief at Plymouth.
Agent.– ___ M‘Inerheny, Esq.
GEORGE PIGOT, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1808.]
The paucity of our information respecting this officer, and the circumstance of his having obtained post rank in consequence of the glorious death of another gentleman, with whose history we are well acquainted, induce us to give an outline of the naval services of the latter, whose short life was spent in endeavouring to promote the welfare of his country, and the happiness of his friends. We allude to the late
CONWAY SHIPLEY, Esq.
Son of the Rev. William D. Shipley, M.A., Dean of St. Asaph (and grandson of the late Bishop), who was born at Llannerch Park, in Denbighshire, Aug. 14, 1782[1].
At the recommendation of Earl Spencer, he was placed under the care of Captain (now Sir Thomas) Pakenham, of the Invincible 74, on the eleventh anniversary of his birth-day; and in the memorable battle of June 1, 1794, he gave earnest of his future reputation, by displaying traits of courage that would have done honor to any boy, however much his senior[2].
In Jan. 1796, Mr. Shipley was removed, by desire of his
- ↑ A memoir of Captain Shipley’s venerable father will be found in the "“Annual Biography and Obituary for 1827.”
- ↑ As some of our critical friends will probably say that Mr. Conway Shipley was too young to be of any service on such an occasion, and should therefore have been sent from the scene of death and carnage; we shall meet their objection by asserting, that even the commands of his captain were insufficient to keep him below, as he always contrived to return upon deck, and was at length allowed to continue there, which he persisted in doing even after he had been knocked down by the headless body of a man falling upon him.
