Francis Wheler
| Sir Francis Wheler | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1656 |
| Died | 19 February 1694 HMS Sussex, off Gibraltar |
| Allegiance |
 Kingdom of England
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Navy
|
| Rank | Rear-Admiral of the Red |
| Commands held |
HMS Nonsuch HMS Kingfisher HMS Tyger HMS Centurion HMS Kent HMS Albemarle Jamaica Station |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight Bachelor |
Sir Francis Wheler (sometimes spelt Wheeler) (1656 – 19 February 1694) was an officer of the Royal Navy who served during the Nine Years' War.
Wheler spent the early part of his career in the Mediterranean, eventually being promoted to command his own ships, and being particularly active against the Algerine and Salé pirates that infested the region. He went on to serve in British waters, and was knighted by King James II. Wheler remained in the navy after the Glorious Revolution and his continued good service led to the command of a squadron. He fought at Beachy Head and Barfleur, and in 1692 was promoted to flag rank. He took a fleet out to attack French possessions in the Caribbean and North America, but his attack on Martinique ended in failure when large numbers of the troops involved became sick. He floated the idea of an attack on Quebec, but insufficient troops could be found, and an assault on Newfoundland was similarly considered but rejected after the defences were found to be too great to overcome. Wheler nevertheless received another promotion, and went out to the Mediterranean in command of a large convoy. He made little attempt to engage the French warships he encountered on the voyage, but concentrated on reaching Cadiz safely. After successfully escorting the convoy Wheler attempted to navigate the strait of Gibraltar, but encountered fierce winds. His fleet was scattered and a number of ships were wrecked, while his flagship, HMS Sussex, foundered with heavy loss of life early in the morning of 19 February 1694. Wheler was among the dead, his body being washed up two days later.
Francis Wheler was born in 1656, a younger son of Sir Charles Wheler and his wife Dorothy, daughter of Sir Francis Bindlosse. He entered the navy and on 30 April 1678 was appointed second-lieutenant aboard HMS Rupert by Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur Herbert, while serving in the Mediterranean. Wheler continued in Rupert under Sir John Narborough, who promoted him to first-lieutenant on 5 May 1679, and on 6 April 1680 moved aboard HMS Bristol at the same rank, serving under Herbert again. Herbert appointed Wheler to post-captain on 11 September 1680 and gave him command of HMS Nonsuch. On 8 April 1681 he came across a British ship, HMS Adventure under Captain Booth, fighting an Algerine pirate ship named Golden Horse. The Golden Horse had been on the point of surrendering, but mistaking Wheler's ship for one of his allies, fought on until Nonsuch came up and hoisted her colours, at which the pirate vessel surrendered. Serving as Nonsuch's master at the time was John Benbow, who was later court-martialed for his comments regarding Adventure's fighting ability.
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