Royal Naval Biography/Spencer, Frederick
HON. FREDERICK SPENCER,
[Post-Captain of 1822.]
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath, Knight of the Royal French Order of St. Louis, and Knight of the Imperial Russian Order of St. Anne.
This officer is the third surviving son of Earl Spencer, K.G. formerly First Lord of the Admiralty, by Lady Lavinia Bingham, eldest daughter of Charles, first Earl of Lucan[1].
He was born, April 14, made lieutenant, into the Myrmidon of 20 guns, Captain Robert Gambier, on the Mediterranean station, July 14, 1818; removed to the Albion 74, flag-ship of Sir Charles V. Penrose, on the 2d Nov. following; appointed to the Suberb 78, bearing the broad pendant of Sir Thomas M. Hardy, Aug. 30, 1819; promoted to the command of the Alacrity sloop, in South America, Mar. 5, 1821; and posted into the Creole frigate, on the same station, Aug. 26, 1822.
Captain Frederick Spencer’s next appointment was, Sept. 21, 1826, to the Talbot 28; in which ship he bore a conspicuous part at the battle of Navarin, and afterwards co-operated with the French forces employed in the Gulf of Lepanto. The following are extracts of an official letter from Captain Edmund Lyons, of the Blonde frigate, to Sir Edward Codrington’s successor, dated off Patras, Oct. 14, 1828:
“Captain Spencer’s letter, by the Echo, will have informed you of the capitulation of Patras.
“I have now the honor of sending you the terms; in defiance of which five Agas, with (it is believed) 1200 or 1500 troops, have thrown themselves into the Morea Castle, and refuse to surrender, unless a written order to do so be produced from Ibrahim Pacha of Egypt, or Ibrahim Pacha of Lepanto.
“Under these circumstances, General Schneider has resolved on commencing offensive operations against the castle. * * * * *
“I have promised to approach the fort, on the 19th instant, as near as the wind and other circumstances will admit; under the hope, that the dread of a naval attack may have the same effect that it undoubtedly had in the surrender of Patras. * * * * * * This letter will be delivered to you by Captain Spencer, who is perfectly informed on all the subjects which I have mentioned.
“I have only to add, that I hope, throughout this service, to preserve that good understanding, and hearty co-operation, with the officers of His Most Christian Majesty, which has so auspiciously commenced under Captain Spencer’s firm, though conciliatory, management.”
The manner in which the Turco-Egyptians were expelled from their last strong hold in the Peloponnesus, has been officially related at p. 387 et seq. of Suppl. Part III. The companionship of the Bath, the cross of St. Louis, and the order of St. Anne, were conferred upon Captain Spencer immediately after the conflict at Navarin; on which occasion the Talbot had 6 men killed and 17 wounded[2]
Captain Spencer married, Feb. 23, 1830, the second daughter of W. S. Poyntz, of Cowdrey Park, co. Sussex, Esq.