John Quilliam
| Captain John Quilliam | |
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An 1826 portrait of Captain John Quilliam by the artist Henry Barber
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| Born | 29 September 1771 Marown, Isle of Man |
| Died | 10 October 1829 (aged 58) Michael, Isle of Man |
| Allegiance |
Great Britain United Kingdom British Empire |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1794–1817 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Stevenson |
Captain John Quilliam RN (born Marown, Isle of Man 29 September 1771 - died Michael, Isle of Man 10 October 1829) was a Royal Navy officer and the First Lieutenant on HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. He was a farmer’s son from the Isle of Man who was impressed into the Royal Navy in 1794.
The eldest son of John Quilliam and Christian Clucas of Ballakelly, he was apprenticed to a stonemason, and then worked as a labourer until he was impressed into the Royal Navy.
Unlike most impressed sailors, Quilliam rose rapidly in the Royal Navy. He is first recorded in 1797 at the Battle of Camperdown when he was made a Lieutenant by Admiral Duncan. He was a Third Lieutenant on HMS Ethalion.
On 7 October 1799 Quilliam's share of prize money for the capture of the 36 gun Spanish treasure ship Thetis was over £5000.
At the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 Quilliam was First Lieutenant aboard HMS Amazon. The slight draft of the Amazon meant she was able to get close under the shore batteries, however this in turn led to the Amazon receiving a high volume of damage the result of which was that all the higher-ranking officers were killed leaving Quilliam in command. His gallantry and calmness under fire following the death of Captain Edward Riou and all the senior officers on his ship was rewarded with being made First Lieutenant on HMS Victory by Horatio Nelson.
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