Piracy!

This page is a little different in that this story is not related to the Royal Navy or Portsmouth Dockyard it relates to John Grove Williams (born 13th June 1833 to George Williams and Mary Boatfield), who died in Malta in August 1858. I found him when researching my family tree. He, was bound for a life on the waves in the merchant marine.

On 30th December 1852, at the age of 19, John received his Mate’s certificate. For which he produced his testimonial record of service.

Continuing in the maritime service John applied for his master’s ticket in 1855.

This ‘Application to be Examined’ states that a fee of two pounds was received by ‘F. Johns, Shipping Master’, in Plymouth on 16^th February 1855. And, again, was supported by his record of service.

We see here his certificate of passing the Marine Board Ordinary Examination on 17th February 1855.

And on the 24th of February 1855 his Master’s Certificate is issued.

Now things get confusing because we see a second certificate for passing the Ordinary Examination dated 3rd April 1858:

And then the corresponding re-issue of his Master’s Certificate:

In this case the testimonial explains the reason for the second Master’s Certificate; PIRATES!

So, Where was this? A newspaper clipping from the time tells us the following:

From Google Earth we can see where this all took place:

Having suffered all of this, just months later, John Grove Williams died on 28th August 1858 when he was the master of the Barque Mysore, of Milford, he was just 25 years of age.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199062087/j.-c.-williams