The New International Encyclopædia/Parker, Peter (officer)

PARKER, Peter (1721-1811). A British naval officer, born probably in Ireland. He entered the navy and became lieutenant in 1713, and captain in 1747. He served in the West Indies, and took part in the capture of Belle-Isle in 1761. For ten years he was out of the service on account of the reduction of the navy. He was knighted and restored in 1772, and on October, 1775, with a small squadron, was sent to coöperate with Sir Henry Clinton in the reduction of the Southern colonies of America. The attempt of Josiah Martin to arouse the Tories of North Carolina failed, and Parker proceeded to Charleston and made the unsuccessful attack on Fort Moultrie June 28, 1776. He aided Lord Howe in the capture of New York in September, and commanded the squadron which afterwards took possession of Rhode Island. In April, 1777, he was promoted to rear-admiral and placed in charge of Jamaica, in 1778. He became vice-admiral in 1779, was made a baronet when he returned to England in 1782, and became admiral in 1787. From 1793 to 1799 he was commander-in-chief at Portsmouth and succeeded Lord Howe as admiral of the fleet. He is perhaps best remembered as the friend and patron of Nelson.