  right|thumb|200px|woodway cottage in 1825, birthplace of thomas spratt. thomas abel brimage spratt (11 may 1811 â 12 march 1888) was an english vice-admiral, hydrographer, and geologist. he was born at woodway house, east teignmouth and is the eldest surviving son of commander james spratt, rn, who was a hero of the battle of trafalgar. he joined the royal navy at age&nbsp;16 in 1827 and was attached to the surveying branch on hms&nbsp;victory. he was engaged almost continuously until 1863 in surveying the mediterranean. as commander of the spitfire he rendered distinguished service in the black sea during the crimean war, and was appointed cb in 1855. at an earlier date he was associated with edward forbes, then naturalist to the "beacon", and during the years 1841â1843 they made observations on the bathymetric distribution of marine life. he was specially indebted to forbes for his interest in natural history and geology, and together they published travels in lycia, etc. (1847). he was elected a fellow of the royal society as the author of travels in lycia, & important papers in the journals of the geological & geographical societies. whilst on sick leave in teignmouth due to the after effects of malaria he investigated the movements of the sand bars at teignmouth and suggested practical means of improving the entrance to the harbour. he published his research in 1856 and was congratulated for the clarity and practicality of his work by isambard kingdom brunel, who was building the south devon railway at the time. spratt investigated the caves at malta and obtained remains of the pygmy elephant (elephas melitensis), which was described by hugh falconer. he investigated the geology of several greek islands, the shores of asia minor, and the nile delta. he was especially distinguishe
1811_births 1888_deaths Botanists_with_author_abbreviations Companions_of_the_Order_of_the_Bath English_geologists English_hydrographers English_surveyors Fellows_of_the_Royal_Society People_from_Teignmouth Royal_Navy_admirals Royal_Navy_personnel_of_the_Crimean_War