Brief guide to manuscripts collections| William L. Clements Library The University of Michigan Peter Aplin Log-books |
Peter Aplin, future Admiral in the Royal Navy, first came to notice while he was a midshipman aboard the Roebuck during the British naval attack on Forts Lee and Washington on October 9, 1776, during the attempt to break the rebel blockade at the mouth of the Hudson River. Aplin was promoted when First Lieutenant Leek was killed in this action, and continued steadily to rise in the navy until in November, 1780, he was made captain of the 24 gun frigate Fowey. Aplin commanded the Fowey during the British defense of Yorktown, but lost his ship to French fire from Saint-Simon's attack during the night of October 10-11, 1781, after which Aplin and his crew joined the land forces under Cornwallis. He did not return to sea duty until 1797, when he commanded the Hector, a 74 gun frigate, in the battle off Cape St. Vincent. Two years later he was promoted to flag rank, and although never again taking sea duty, rose to the rank of Admiral of the White shortly before his death in 1817.
The four log-books contain the following:
Vol. 1, Logbook for His Majesty's Sloop Savage, Andrew Hammond, Commander, March 6ÐNovember 23, 1769, from Ireland to the West Indies; Logbook of Ship Niger, Francis Bankes, Commander, April 1, 1770ÐJanuary 18, 1771, from England to Africa;
Vol. 2: Logbook for ship Prudent, Sir Jonathan Clerke, Commander, April 9, 1772ÐOctober 27, 1774, from England to India;
Vol. 3: Logbook of Roebuck, Andrew Hammond, Commander, October 5, 1776ÐJuly 14, 1777, during British Blockade of Eastern American coast;
Vol. 4: Logbook for Roebuck, Andrew Hammond, Commander, July 14ÐSeptember 30, 1775, while moored at Chatham until leaving Guernsey for America; copy of entries in Vol. 3. for Roebuck, October 16-21, 1776; May 17ÐJuly 14, 1777; Logbook for Strombolo, Peter Aplin, Commander, July 14ÐSeptember 21, 1778, off Sandy Hook.
Great Britain. Navy--Officers
Hammon, Andrew
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