# Royal Naval Biography/Grey, Edward

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EDWARD GREY, Esq. [Post-Captain of 1813.]
Entered the royal navy in 1778, under the auspices of the late Rear-admiral Kempenfelt, with whom he successively served in the Alexander 74, Britannia of 100 guns, and Victory of similar force. The former first rate bore the flag of Vice-Admiral Darby, at the relief of Gibraltar, in April, 1781 ; the latter was the flag-ship of Mr. Grey’s patron, when that officer encountered Mons. de Guichen, December 12 following.
We next find the subject of this memoir acting as fourth ​lieutenant of the Alexander, Captain Lord Longford, at the relief of the above fortress by Lord Howe, in 1782. After passing his examination in 1785, he became a part-owner and master of a merchant vessel, and spent seven years in trading between London and Bourdeaux.
At the commencement of the French revolutionary war, Mr. Grey abandoned his mercantile pursuits, and again joined the Britannia, then bearing the flag of Vice-admiral Hotham, under whom he served at the occupation of Toulon, in August, 1793. On the 29th of the following month, he was promoted, by Lord Hood, into the Windsor Castle 98. His subsequent appointments were, January 16, 1794, to l’Eclair sloop; October 26, 1794, to the Romulus frigate; March 16, 1795, to the Britannia; January 17, 1796, to the St. George, 98; and, February 13, in the same year, to be an agent of transports at Leghorn. The retreat of the British from that place, on the approach of the republican forces under Napoleon Buonaparte, is thus described by Captain Thomas Francis Freemantle, in a letter to Sir John Jervis, dated June 30, 1796:–
“I had the honor of acquainting you on the 23d instant, of the supposed forcible entry of the French troops into Tuscany, and their intended invasion of Leghorn. On the 24th, I attended a meeting of the Consul and Factory, where the information that had been received was communicated; and having assured them, that I would remain at anchor in the road for their protection, until the enemy obliged me to weigh, the merchants prepared to embark their goods on board the transports, &c. which were immediately ordered out of the mole; and I requested Captain Craven to use every dispatch in getting the large ships’ lower masts, spars, &c. launched and secured on board the transports. On the 25th many of the merchant vessels, and the Elizabeth transport, which was sheathing in the inner mole, were got out, and the masts lashed alongside the latter.
“On the 26th, the Gorgon arrived, and the remaining large spars were launched and sent to that ship; when having got certain information of the intention of the enemy, who slept at Pantedera, only eighteen miles from Leghorn, I ordered the whole of the convoy, amounting to twenty-three sail of square-rigged vessels and fourteen tartans, to get under weigh at daylight on the 27th: a little after noon on that day, the French entered ​Leghorn, and began firing at the Inconstant, when I got under weigh with the only vessel remaining, which was a prize to l’Aigle, a brig laden with ship timber. Two small privateers endeavoured to cut her off, which obliged us to tack and support her, and occasioned some few shot being exchanged, which, however, did no damage. All the shipping, nearly the whole of the English property, and all his Majesty’s naval stores and provisions, have been saved; every British subject, and all the emigrés desirous of leaving Tuscany, have been received on board the convoy.
“I feel myself particularly obliged to Lieutenant Grey, employed in the transport service, for his great exertions in getting the stores, &c. off; and great credit is due to Mr. Heatly, agent-victualler, who was indefatigable in saving the provisions, wine, &c.”
In 1797, Lieutenant Grey was appointed first of the Adamant 50, Captain William Hotham, under whose command he continued during the remainder of the war. The following is a copy of the letter which procured him superior rank:–
“H.M.S. Adamant, Cape of Good Hope, August, 1, 1801.
“My Lord,– I have no other reason for taking the liberty of intruding this letter upon your lordship, than that it accompanies one written by the first lieutenant of the Adamant.
“After a long series of approved, but unsuccessful service, and in no instance, perhaps, has he been more unfortunate, than in those active times, serving with an insignificant person like myself, who has no other way of making up for it, than by endeavouring to introduce him to that patronage which has ever been conspicuous for its disposition to reward real merit; it would be unjust in me, if I were to withhold that commendation, which the conduct of this gentleman most strongly exacts from me. It is a tribute justly due to the character of an officer, whose exertions have been uniform and unremitting to blend the strictest discipline of service with the happiness and comfort of those who serve under him. He has twice, since the Adamant has been in this country, performed actions which required the coolest judgment, and the most determined intrepidity. I allude to the destroying la Preneuse frigate, under her own batteries, and bringing her captain and officers prisoners on board this ship; and to his having, on another occasion, and a more difficult one, proceeded above the buoys at the entrance of Port Louis, in the Mauritius, and brought out a ship, which I fancied, had insulted the British flag. On this latter service, Mr. Grey had two men killed and ten wounded: the enemy’s loss was much more considerable. I take this opportunity of offering my best wishes for your lordship’s health; being, with the greatest respect, your lordship’s obliged, and obedient, humble servant,
(Signed)“W. Hotham.”
“To Earl St. Vincent, Admiralty.”
“On the 11th Dec. 1799, in the forenoon, the British 74 gunship Tremendous, Captain John Osborn, and 50 gun-ship Adamant, Captain William Hotham, cruising of Port Louis, in the Isle of France, discovered and chased the Preneuse; who, finding it impossible to escape from the Adamant, ran herself on shore on the west side of the river Tombeau, about 3 miles from Port Louis, and near to some batteries. At 3 P.M. the frigate cut away all her masts; and at 3-30, in conjunction with the batteries, opened a fire upon the Adamant, who was using every exertion to work up to her. At 5-30 P.M. the latter opened a fire in return; and in about 15 minutes afterwards, the Preneuse hauled in her ensign from the quarter, as a signal of submission; whereupon the Adamant discontinued the action.
“After a communication between the two British captains, Captain Osborn consented that two boats of the Adamant and one of the Tremendous should be sent in to attempt to destroy the French frigate. Accordingly, at 7 P.M., one 12 and two 6-oared cutters, containing about 35 men, and placed under the orders of Lieutenant Edward Grey, put off from the Adamant, to execute the service entrusted to them.
“At about 8 P.M., the French batteries began firing shot and shells at the boats and at the Adamant, who was still working up towards the object of attack. At about 9 P.M., just as the boats were getting alongside of the Preneuse, two of her launches, filled with men, pulled from her towards the shore. Shortly afterwards, Lieutenant Grey and his party, under a heavy fire still kept up from the batteries, gallantly boarded the French frigate. Having removed Captain l’Hermite, 14 or 15 other officers, and a few men, all that remained in her, and, greatly to Lieutenant Grey’s credit, saved as much as possible of the private property belonging to them. Lieutenant Grey set fire to and destroyed the Preneuse, and returned to the Adamant without the loss of a man.”
This officer’s promotion to the rank of commander took place April 29, 1802. From Mar. 1803 until Aug. 1810, he superintended the impress service at Hull, where, by his zealous and unremitted exertions, he secured the services of no less than 2,305 seamen; a number considerably greater, we believe, than ever had been raised at that port by any of his predecessors.
Captain Grey’s next appointment was, Aug. 12, 1812, to ​the Fairy of 18 guns, in which sloop he continued until his advancement to post rank, Dec. 4, 1813. He obtained the out-pension of Greenwich Hospital, Oct. 14, 1815; and died at Holy Island, co. Durham, Nov. 1, 1825.
* ↑ See Vol. I. Part I. p. 58 et seq.; and id. Part II. note at p. 450 et seq.
* ↑ See Vol. I. Part I. p. 60.
* ↑ Under Hamburgh colours.