*** Welcome to piglix ***

Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, 1st Baronet

Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, 1st Bt
Thomas Hardy - Project Gutenberg eText 16914.jpg
Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy
Born (1769-04-05)5 April 1769
Kingston Russell, Dorset, United Kingdom
Died 20 September 1839(1839-09-20) (aged 70)
Greenwich, London
Allegiance  United Kingdom/British Empire
Service/branch Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Navy
Years of service 1790 - 1839
Rank Vice-Admiral
Commands held HMS Mutine
HMS Vanguard
HMS Foudroyant
HMS Princess Charlotte
HMS San Josef
HMS St George
HMS Isis
HMS Amphion
HMS Victory
HMS Triumph
HMS Barfleur
HMS Ramillies
HMS Princess Augusta
South America Station
Greenwich Hospital
Battles/wars
Awards Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath

Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, 1st Baronet GCB (5 April 1769 – 20 September 1839) was a Royal Navy officer. He took part in the Battle of Cape St Vincent in February 1797, the Battle of the Nile in August 1798 and the Battle of Copenhagen in April 1801 during the French Revolutionary Wars. He served as flag captain to Admiral Lord Nelson, and commanded HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in October 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars. Nelson was shot as he paced the decks with Hardy, and as he lay dying, Nelson's famous remark of "Kiss me, Hardy" was directed at him. Hardy went on to become First Naval Lord in November 1830 and in that capacity refused to become a Member of Parliament and encouraged the introduction of steam warships.

Born the second son of Joseph Hardy and Nanny Hardy (née Masterman) at Kingston Russell House in Long Bredy (or according to some sources in Winterborne St Martin), Hardy joined the navy with his entry aboard the brig HMS Helena on 30 November 1781 as a captain's servant, but left her in April 1782 to attend Crewkerne Grammar School. During his time at school his name was carried on the books of the sixth-rate HMS Seaford and the third-rate HMS Carnatic.


...
Wikipedia

...