The Battle of Camperdown.

[Bligh]

Lieutenant J. Hamilton.

The man to the left of Admiral Duncan in this painting by Daniel Orme is Lt. John Hamilton. His Cutter Active can be seen in the background assisting the rescue of Dutch sailors from a burning ship.

Born the son of James and Jane Hamilton he was baptized in Dover on the 17th of March 1765.
In 1788 at the age of 23 he married Sarah Hedgecock.
Shortly after this he started out his seafaring career, although as not a regular Naval Officer he was taken on as an auxiliary ships Master.

By 1792 reference to Hamilton's sea service becomes more transparent. In that year at the age of 27 he was serving on the Charlotte armed Cutter under Admiral John McBride on patrol along the downs. A year later he is mentioned as being "in support" of the Duke of York's siege at Dunkirk.
Just after its completion he was engaged as a regular Lieutenant in Command of the armed Cutter Active, built in 1794 and armed with 10 guns.
He was destined to continue command of this vessel with Admiral Duncan both during the Nore Mutiny and also at Camperdown.

By 1795, Active was part of the Flotilla sent to Cruxhaven to greet Caroline of Brunswick on her way to wed the Prince of Wales. In May Hamilton was in action as part of Sir John Warren's expedition to transfer the Emigre Army to France in Quiberon Bay. Active continued to support Sir John, becoming a part of Edward Pellew's famous Hunting Squadron patrolling around the Channel Islands.
Later that year Active was transferred to Admiral Duncan's Squadron blockading the Texel.

Nore Mutiny.

During the mutiny at the NoreActive was mentioned as being one of the not mutinous vessels. in fact the two Cutters Active and Rose aided Duncan in his deception of the Dutch, by looking into the Texel and reporting by flag signals to Duncan and his non existent fleet the degree of readiness and numbers of the ships sheltering therein.Hamilton was later commended by Duncan as having been "honourably distinguished and prominent in this action."

Camperdown.

On Friday the 6th of October Hamilton apprehended and boarded a Dutch Galliot and obtained information from her captain that the Dutch Fleet intended to sail on the following day. He then sailed along the line to gauge their numbers, and having been chased off informed Captain Halkett of his findings. By the time Duncan left Yarmouth Roads the next morning Hamilton was on his way to rendezvous with his Admiral. The Active was espied at 11 in the forenoon as the Admiral noted in his l
Log. Having spoken to Duncan, Hamilton headed back to the Texel.

During the actual action which followed, Active acted as a Tender to Duncan's Flagship HMS Venerable. After the battle Hamilton was promoted to the rank of Captain. He and Duncan were invited to visit Prime Minister Pitt at Walmer castle where Duncan praised Hamilton's most important service.
Unfortunately on the 9th of October 1800 during an observation mission in the River Ems both the Active and the Rose were cut off on a receding tide by several Dutch Gunboats and a french Privateer. Despite a spirited action they were eventually overcome with a great loss of life.

Later Life.

After Hamilton being released from captivity,Duncan had retired from active service.
He used his influence to get Hamilton a post Captaining a Post office Packet.
In 1807 he had a Packet designed specially for him and named it Lord Duncan in honour of his Admiral.
After Napoleon's final defeat in 1815 Hamilton continued in the Cross Channel Packet service, and was one of the first Captains of a steam Packet "Spitfire."
Date of Death not ascertained but after 1825.

Rob.