Ann Chamberlyne (1667–1691) was a female

tar Tar is a dark brown or black viscous liquid of hydrocarbons and free carbon, obtained from a wide variety of organic materials through destructive distillation. Tar can be produced from coal, wood, petroleum, or peat. "a dark brown or black bit ...

(sailor) who joined her brother's ship's crew in 1690 and fought the

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

at Beachy Head. A plaque in her memory at

All Saints Church All Saints Church, or All Saints' Church or variations on the name may refer to: Albania *All Saints' Church, Himarë Australia * All Saints Church, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory * All Saints Anglican Church, Henley Brook, Western Aust ...

, Cheyne Walk in

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

used to exist, but it was destroyed in

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

during a bombing raid. The plaque stated: :In an adjoining vault lies Anne, the only Daughter of Edward Chamberlyne, Doctor of Law's, born in London, 20 January 1667, who having declined marriage at 23, and aspiring to great achievements unusual to her sex, and age, on 30 June 1690, on board a fire ship in man's clothing, as second Pallas, chaste and fearless, fought ''valiantly'' six hours against the French, under the command of her Brother. :Returned from the engagement and after some few months married John Spragg, Esq., with whom, for sixteen more months, she lived most amiably happy. At length, in childbed of a daughter, she encountered death 30 October 1691. This monument, for consort most virtuous and dearly loved, was erected by her husband. :Snatched, alas, how soon by sudden death, unhonoured by progeny like herself, worthy to rule the Main!" She is the first known female tar in British history.

References

Helena Carreiras, Gerhard Kümme: Women in the Military and in Armed Conflict.
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Joan Druett Joan Druett is a New Zealand historian and novelist, specialising in maritime history and crime fiction. Life Joan Druett was born in Nelson, and raised in Palmerston North, moving to New Zealand's capital city, Wellington, when she was 16. S ...

: She Captains: Heroines and Hellions of the Sea (2001) * Isabelle Bauino, Jacques Carré,

Cécile Révauger Cécile Révauger (1955, Bordeaux) is a French historian and historiographer in the fields of freemasonry and the Lumières. A freemason, she was initiated in 1982 at the Grande Loge féminine de France. She left this grand lodge to join the Grand ...

: The Invisible Woman: Aspects of Women's Work in Eighteenth-century Britain {{DEFAULTSORT:Chamberlyne, Anne 1667 births 1691 deaths Deaths in childbirth Female wartime cross-dressers Royal Navy sailors Military personnel from London Women in 17th-century warfare 17th-century Royal Navy personnel Women in war in Britain