# Royal Naval Biography/Peard, George

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GEORGE PEARD, Esq. [Commander.]
Eldest son of the late Vice-Admiral Shuldham Peard, by Elizabeth, third daughter of the late Admiral Sir Richard Rodney Bligh.
This officer was born at Gosport, Feb. 18th, 1793; and educated at the Royal Naval College, which he entered in 1807, and left in 1809, when we find him embarking as midshipman on board the Lavinia frigate, Captain Lord William Stuart, whom he followed, in 1810, into the Conquestador 74. On the 27th Dec. 1811, he was sent in the barge of the latter ship to attack a number of French coasting vessels, proceeding alongshore between Rochelle and l’Isle d’Aix: the unlucky result of this enterprise was thus officially reported to Captain Thomas Alexander, of the Colossus 74:–
“H.M.S. Conquestador, Basque Roads, 21th Dec. 1811.
“Sir,– In compliance with your desire to state the particulars, as far as came to my knowledge, respecting the unfortunate loss of the boats of this ship and the Colossus, I shall, in order to make every circumstance that relates to the transaction as clear as possible, begin with the moment of the enemy’s convoy coming out of Rochelle.
“At noon, several chasse-marées, sloops, and other vessels were reported to me by the officer of the watch, steering towards l’Isle d’Aix, in consequence of which, the Conquestador being the inshore ship, I made the telegraphic signal to you, ‘Shall I attack the enemy?’ which being answered with the words, ‘As you please,’ I sent three boats, the barge, pinnace, and launch, with directions to the officers commanding them to run no risk, to keep a good look-out for the boats’ recal, and particularly, if the enemy’s vessels got under protection of their batteries, not on any account to attack them. The wind at their departure was N. by W.; shortly after I made the telegraphic signal, ‘May I weigh and ​dose with boats?’ upon your answering in the affirmative, I immediately did so, and stood as close in as the depth of water would allow me with safety to the ship. The Piercer gun-brig, by signal from yourself, weighed also, and I believe it was then that three boats from the Colossus went in pursuit of the enemy’s vessels.
“At half-past two p.m., or nearly that time, perceiving the boats of the two ships had got very deep into the bay, between the points of Chatillon and Du Rocher, I took upon myself to hoist their signal of recal, and fired guns to enforce it. At this time the wind shifted suddenly from N.W. to W., and shortly after I perceived three French gun-brigs, a gun-boat, and several armed pinnaces, weigh from under l’Isle d’Aix. This circumstance, so unfortunate, and so impossible to have been calculated on, caused the lamentable consequences that ensued. Our boats, by the change of wind, were placed between the shore and the enemy’s flotilla; and seeing no chance of their escape, but by a prompt attack of the Piercer, I despatched a boat with eighteen seamen and marines, to enable her more effectually to cope with them; and at the same time made the signal to her commander to protect the boats. Why he did not do so – whether from the shallowness of the water, or from what cause, it is for him to make the representation to you.
“The boats, hard pressed, and under an incessant fire from the enemy’s brigs, gun-boat, pinnaces, land-batteries, and field-pieces along shore, which they with the utmost spirit returned, still stood on until they reached half-way between Points Chatillon and Du Rocher: the gun-boat then came up with, and ran on board the barge of the Colossus, the crew of which, though surrounded by the other vessels, were seen fighting upon her decks for some minutes before they surrendered. The other boats (with the exception of one belonging to the Colossus, out of danger), completely enfiladed between the fire of the enemy’s flotilla and batteries, were driven on shore, and the crews made prisoners.
“However the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty may judge of this disaster, which for myself I do not hesitate to declare was solely owing to the untoward accident of the wind shifting, I should be shamefully remiss, were I not to express in the strongest manner the extraordinary perseverance, and determined intrepidity, shewn by the whole of the boats of H.M. ships. Never, perhaps, were people placed under more trying circumstances, and never did people more nobly or more manfully, fulfil their duty. The barge of the Colossus, and the Conquestador’s launch, exhibited a degree of persevering courage, I believe, unrivalled, and I do humbly hope, should the officers and men, so worthy of a better fate, be ever restored to their country, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty will take them into their favourable consideration. If bravery, never surpassed, when unattended with success, can command reward, it is for them to receive it. I herewith enclose a list ​of the officers and crews of the three boats taken and destroyed belonging to H.M. ship under my command. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“William Stuart.”
Thus was Great Britain, when on the eve of a war with her late trans-atlantic colonies, deprived of the services of 113 gallant fellows, doomed to captivity until the abdication of Napoleon Buonaparte, in 1814. Among those killed, wounded, and taken prisoners on this occasion, were Lieutenant Edmund Stackpoole, senior officer, in the Conquestador’s launch; Mr. Peter Hodder, a passed midshipman, commanding the barge of the Colossus; Mr. Edwin Toby Caulfield, in charge of the Conquestador’s barge; Mr. John Franklyn, to whom had been entrusted the direction of the launch of the Colossus; Mr. Daniel Baird, master’s-mate, in command of the Conquestador’s pinnace; Messrs Francis Sutherland, George Peard, and Donald O’Bryan, midshipmen of that ship; and Messrs. J. Hynson, Neil Malcolm, and William Campbell (the latter gentleman an assistant surgeon), of the Colossus.
In June 1814, Mr. Peard passed his examination, and in Sept. following was sent out to Lake Ontario, on promotion. He there received from that excellent and most worthy officer. Sir Edward W. C. R. Owen, an order to act as lieutenant in the gun-boat service, which appointment was confirmed by the Admiralty, July 5th, 1815. On the dismantlement of the flotilla in that quarter, we find him despatched to Lake Champlain, where he remained until the spring of 18I7, when, in consequence of the further reduction of the naval force in the Canadas, he was ordered home, and placed on half-pay. He afterwards served, for two years and a half, under Captain Thomas Searle, in the Hyperion frigate, on the Leith and South American stations. His next and last appointment was, in Mar. 1825, to be first lieutenant of the Blossom sloop, Commander F. W. Beechey, fitting out for a voyage of discovery in the Pacific Ocean, and to cooperate with Captains Parry and Franklin, in the event of their effecting the N.W. passage. Whilst absent on this service, he was advanced to the rank of commander, by commission dated 7th May, 1827, the first one signed by his ​present Majesty, when Lord High Admiral. After his promotion, he continued to serve as first lieutenant of the Blossom until superseded at Rio Janeiro, in Aug. 1828, a period of fifteen months. An outline of the Blossom’s most interesting voyage will be found in Vol. III. Part I. pp. 313–326; the following is her scientific commander’s account of an attack made upon her boats, under the orders of Lieutenant Peard, by the natives of Easter Island, in Nov. 1825:–
“When the ship had arrived off the N.W. point of the island, she was hove to for the purpose of taking observations; and a boat was lowered to examine the bays, and obtain soundings near the shore. Immediately she put off, the natives collected about the place where they supposed she would land. The sea broke heavily upon the rocks, and some of them apprehending the boat would be damaged, waved their cloaks to caution her against making the attempt to land; while others, eager to reach her, plunged into the sea and so surrounded her, that she was obliged to put about to get rid of them. They all showed a friendly disposition, and we began to hope that they had forgotten the unpardonable conduct of the American master, who carried several of the islanders away by force, to colonize Masafuera.
“Immediately the noon observation was obtained, we ran along the western side of the island, towards the bay in which Cook and Perouse had both anchored. The natives, as before, followed along the coast, and lighted fires in different directions, the largest of which was opposite the landing-place. With a view to ascertain the feelings of the inhabitants, and, if possible, to establish an amicable intercourse with them, I desired Lieutenant Peard to proceed with two boats to the shore, and by presents and kindness to endeavour to conciliate the people, and to bring off what fruit and vegetables he could. Lieutenant [John] Wainwright was directed to accompany him; and, though I did not apprehend any hostility, yet, as a precautionary measure, I armed the boats, and placed two marines in each; their strength was further increased by several of the officers, and the naturalist [Mr. George T. Lay]. Thus equipped, they rowed to the landing-place, in Cook’s Bay, while the ship remained at a short distance. The islanders were collected in great numbers, and were seen running to and fro exhibiting symptoms of expectation and delight. Some few, however, were observed throwing large stones at a mark behind a bank erected near the beach.
“As the boats approached, the anxiety of the natives was manifested l>y shouts, which overpowered the voices of the officers: and our boats, before they gained the beach, were surrounded by hundreds of swimmers, clinging to the gunwales, the sterns, and the rudders, until they became unmanageable. They all appeared to be friendly disposed, and none ​came empty handed. Bananas, yams, potatoes, sugar-cane, nets, idols, &c., were offered for sale, and some were even thrown into the boats, leaving their visitors to make what return they chose. Among the swimmers there were a great many females, who were equally or more anxious to get into the boats than the men, and made use of every persuasion to induce the crew to admit them. But to have acceded to their entreaties would have encumbered the party, and subjected them to depredations. As it was, the boats were so weighed down by persons clinging to them, that for personal safety the crew were compelled to have recourse to sticks to keep them off, at which none of the natives took offence, but regained their position the instant the attention of the persons in the boats was called to some other object. Just within the gunwales there were many small things that were highly prized by the swimmers; and the boats being brought low in the water by the crowds hanging to them, many of these articles were stolen, notwithstanding the most vigilant attention of their crews, who had no means of recovering them, the marauders darting into the water, and diving the moment they had committed a theft. The women were no less active in these piracies than the men; for if they were not the actual plunderers, they procured the opportunity for others, by engrossing the attention of the seamen by their caresses and ludicrous gestures. * * * * * * All those in the water were naked, and only here and there, on the shore, a thin cloak of the native cloth was to be seen. Some had their faces painted black, some red; others black and white, or red and white, in the ludicrous manner practised by our clowns; and two demon-like monsters were painted entirely black. It is not easy to imagine the picture that was presented by this motley crowd, unrestrained by any authority or consideration for their visitors, all hallooing to the extent of their lungs, and pressing upon the boats with all sorts of grimaces and gestures. It was found impossible to land where it was at first intended; the boats, therefore, rowed a little to the northward, followed by the multitude, and there effected a disembarkation, aided by some of the natives, who helped the party over the rocks with one hand, while they picked their pockets with the other. It was no easy matter to penetrate the dense multitude, and much less practicable to pursue a thief through the labyrinth of figures that thronged around. The articles stolen were consequently ns irretrievably lost here, as they were before in the hands of the divers. * * * * Among the foremost of the crowd were two men, crowned with pelican’s feathers, who, if they were not chiefs, assumed a degree of authority, and with the two demons above mentioned attempted to clear the way by striking at the feet of the mob; careful, however, so to direct their blows, that they should not take effect. Without their assistance, if would have been almost impossible to land: the mob cared very little for threats; a musket presented at them had no effect beyond the moment it was levelled, and was less efficacious than some water ​thrown upon the bystanders by those portions who wished to forward the views of our party. The gentleman who disembarked first, and from that circumstance probably was considered a person of distinction, was escorted to the top of the bank and seated upon a large block of lava, which was the prescribed limit to the party’s advance. An endeavour was then made to form a ring about him; but it was very difficult, on account of the islanders crowding to the place, all in expectation of receiving something. The applicants were impatient, noisy, and urgent: they presented their bags, which they had carefully emptied for the purpose, and signified their desire that they should be filled; they practised every artifice, and stole what they could, in the most careless and open manner; some went even further, and accompanied their demands by threats. About this time one of the natives, probably a chief, with a cloak and head-dress of feathers, was observed from the ship hastening from the huts to the landing-place, attended by several persons with short clubs. This hostile appearance, followed by the blowing of the conch-shell, a sound which Cook observes he never knew to portend good, kept our glasses for a while rivetted to the spot. To this chief it is supposed, for it was impossible to distinguish amongst the crowd, Lieut. Peard made a handsome present, with which he was very well pleased, and no apprehension of hostilities was entertained. It happened, however, that the presents were expended, and this officer was returning to the boat for a fresh supply, when the natives, probably mistaking his intentions, became exceedingly clamorous; and the confusion was further increased by a marine endeavouring to regain his cap, which had been snatched from his head. The natives took advantage of the confusion, and redoubled their endeavours to pilfer, which our party were at last obliged to repel by threats, and sometimes by force. At length they became so audacious that there was no longer any doubt of their intentions, or that a system of open plunder had commenced; which with the appearance of clubs and sticks, and the departure of the women, induced Lieut. Peard, very judiciously, to order his party into the boats. This seemed to be the signal for an assault. The chief who had received the present threw a large stone, which struck Lieut. Peard forcibly upon the back, and was immediately followed by a shower of missiles which darkened the air. The natives, in the water and about the boats, instantly withdrew to their comrades, who had run behind a bank out of the reach of the muskets; which former experience alone could have taught them to fear, for none had yet been fired by us. The stones, each of which weighed about a pound, fell incredibly thick, and with such precision, that several of the seamen were knocked down under the thwarts of the boat; and every person was more or less wounded. * * * A blank cartridge was at first fired over the heads of the crowd; but forbearance, which with savages is generally mistaken for cowardice or inability, only augmented their fury. The showers of stones were, if ​possible, increased; until the personal safety of all rendered it necessary to resort to severe measures. The chief, still urging the islanders on, very deservedly, and perhaps fortunately, fell a victim to the first shot that was fired in defence. Terrified by this example, the natives kept closer under their bulwark; and though they continued to throw stones, and occasioned considerable difficulty in extricating the boats, their attacks were not so effectual as before, nor sufficient to prevent the embarkation of the crew, all of whom were got on board. Several dangerous contusions were received in the affair; but fortunately no lives were lost on our part: and it was the opinion of the officer commanding the party, that the treacherous chief was the only victim on that of the islanders, though some of the officers thought they observed another man fall. Considering the manner in which the party were surrounded, and the imminent risk to which they were exposed, it is extraordinary that so few of the natives suffered; and the greatest credit is due to the officers and crews of both boats for their forbearance on the occasion. After this unfortunate and unexpected termination to our interview, I determined upon quitting the island, as nothing of importance was to be gained by remaining, which could be put in competition with the probable loss of lives that might attend an attempt at reconciliation.”
Commander Belcher continued in the Blossom until her return home, in Sept. 1828, after an absence of three years and a half, during which period he had sailed 73,000 miles, and experienced every vicissitude of climate.