The Jamaica Station was a

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of the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against F ...

stationed at

Port Royal Port Royal is a village located at the end of the Palisadoes, at the mouth of Kingston Harbour, in southeastern Jamaica. Founded in 1494 by the Spanish, it was once the largest city in the Caribbean, functioning as the centre of shipping and co ...

Jamaica Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...

from 1655 to 1830.

History

The station was formed, following the capture of

, by assembling about a dozen frigates in 1655. The first "Admiral and General-at-Sea" was

Sir William Penn Sir William Penn (23 April 1621 – 16 September 1670) was an English admiral and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1660 to 1670. He was the father of William Penn, founder of the Province of Pennsylvania (today, Commonwealth of Pe ...

.Cundall, p. xx Its main objectives in the early years were to defend Jamaica and to harass Spanish ports and shipping. In the late 1720s three successive commanders of the station lost their lives to tropical diseases while undertaking a

Blockade of Porto Bello The Blockade of Porto Bello was a failed British naval action against the Spanish port of Porto Bello in present-day Panama between 1726 and 1727 as part of the Anglo-Spanish War. The British were attempting to blockade the port to stop the S ...

during the Anglo-Spanish War. The general ill-health associated with the station continued throughout the century. An assessment of Navy strength at the Jamaica station in 1742 found around 3,000 men were fit to serve out of a total Navy complement of 6,620. A Navy hospital was constructed in 1745 but its location was poor and many patients brought in for shipboard diseases developed additional tropical illnesses while in the hospital itself. A report to the

Admiralty Admiralty most often refers to: *Admiralty, Hong Kong *Admiralty (United Kingdom), military department in command of the Royal Navy from 1707 to 1964 *The rank of admiral *Admiralty law Admiralty can also refer to: Buildings * Admiralty, Traf ...

in 1749 found that the hospital was "rather a hurt to the avyService than a Relief." The station merged with the North American Station to form the

North America and West Indies Station The North America and West Indies Station was a formation or command of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy stationed in North American waters from 1745 to 1956. The North American Station was separate from the Jamaica Station until 1830 when the t ...

in 1830. The station closed in 1830, but the Royal Navy continued to operate the dockyard until it closed it in 1905. An earthquake in 1907 and hurricane in 1951 damaged the abandoned dockyard. Part of the station now houses the headquarters of the Jamaica Defence Coast Guard (HMJS ''Cagway'', Port Royal); the rest is being restored as part of the Port Royal Heritage Tourism Project.

Commanders-in-Chief

Commanders included:
= died in post

Naval Commanders-in-Chief at Jamaica

* Vice-Admiral

(1655) * Vice-Admiral William Goodsonn (1655–57) * Vice-Admiral

Christopher Myngs Vice Admiral Sir Christopher Myngs (sometimes spelled ''Mings'', 1625–1666) was an English naval officer and privateer. He came of a Norfolk family and was a relative of Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell. Samuel Pepys' story of Myngs' humble bi ...

(1656–57) * Colonel William Mitchell (1662) * Vice-Admiral

(1662–64) * Captain Sir Thomas Whetstone (1663) * Admiral

Henry Morgan Sir Henry Morgan ( cy, Harri Morgan; – 25 August 1688) was a privateer, plantation owner, and, later, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. From his base in Port Royal, Jamaica, he raided settlements and shipping on the Spanish Main, becoming wea ...

(1669) * Admiral the Duke of York (1676) * Commodore Ralph Wrenn (1692) * Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Wheler (1693) * Vice-Admiral

John Benbow Vice-Admiral John Benbow (10 March 16534 November 1702) was an English officer in the Royal Navy. He joined the navy aged 25 years, seeing action against Algerian pirates before leaving and joining the merchant navy where he traded until the ...

(1702) * Commodore William Whetstone (1702–03) * Vice-Admiral

John Graydon Vice-Admiral John Graydon ( – 12 March 1726) was an English officer of the Royal Navy. He was active during the Nine Years War and the War of the Spanish Succession. Life In June 1686 Graydon was appointed lieutenant of ; in May 1688 first l ...

(1703) * Rear-Admiral Sir William Whetstone (1705–06) * Commodore William Kerr (1706) * Rear-Admiral Sir John Jennings (1706) * Rear Admiral

Charles Wager Admiral Sir Charles Wager (24 February 1666 – 24 May 1743) was a Royal Navy officer and politician who served as First Lord of the Admiralty from 1733 to 1742. Despite heroic active service and steadfast administration and diplomatic service, ...

(1707–09) * Commodore

James Littleton Vice Admiral James Littleton (1668–1723) was a Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaica Station. Naval career Littleton was promoted to post captain on 27 February 1693 on appointment to the command of the sixth-rat ...

(1710–12) * Rear-Admiral Sir Hovenden Walker (1712–13) * Commodore

Edward Vernon Admiral Edward Vernon (12 November 1684 – 30 October 1757) was an English naval officer. He had a long and distinguished career, rising to the rank of admiral after 46 years service. As a vice admiral during the War of Jenkins' Ear, in 1 ...

(1720) * Vice-Admiral

Francis Hosier Vice Admiral Francis Hosier (1673–1727) was a British naval officer. He was a lieutenant on Rooke's flagship at the Battle of Barfleur in 1693. He captured the ''Heureux'' off Cape Clear in 1710 and distinguished himself in action with the ...

(1726–27) * Commodore Edward St. Lo (1727) * Vice Admiral

Edward Hopson Vice Admiral Edward Hopson (1671 – 8 May 1728) was a Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaica Station. Origins and early career Hopson was born in 1671, the son of Anthony Hopson (1640–1679), who was a gunner at San ...

(1728) * Rear-Admiral Edward St. Lo (1728–29) * Commodore William Smith (1729) * Rear-Admiral Charles Stewart (1730–32) * Commodore

Richard Lestock Admiral Richard Lestock (22 February 1679 – 17 December 1746) was an officer in the Royal Navy, eventually rising to the rank of Admiral. He fought in a number of battles, and was a controversial figure, most remembered for his part in the def ...

(1732) * Commodore Sir Chaloner Ogle (1732–35) * Captain Digby Dent (1736–37) * Commodore Sir Chaloner Ogle (1737–39) * Admiral

(1739–42) * Rear-Admiral Sir Chaloner Ogle (1742–44) * Vice-Admiral

Thomas Davers Vice-Admiral Thomas Davers (1689 – 16 September 1746) was a Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaica Station. Naval career Born the third son of Sir Robert Davers, 2nd Baronet, Davers was promoted to post captain in ...

(1744–46) * Captain Cornelius Mitchell (1746) * Captain Digby Dent (1747) * Rear-Admiral Charles Knowles (1747–48) * Captain

Polycarpus Taylor Rear admiral (Royal Navy), Rear-Admiral Polycarpus Taylor (1706/07 – 23 January 1781) was a Royal Navy officer of the eighteenth century, most notable for his service commanding ships in the West Indies during the War of the Austrian Success ...

(1748) * Commodore

George Townshend George Townshend may refer to: *George Townshend (Royal Navy officer) (1715–1769), British naval commander *George Townshend, 1st Marquess Townshend (1724–1807), British field marshal, his nephew *George Townshend, 2nd Marquess Townshend (1753� ...

(1749–52) * Rear-Admiral

(1755–57) * Rear-Admiral

Thomas Cotes Thomas Cotes (died 1641) was a London printer of the Jacobean and Caroline eras, best remembered for printing the Second Folio edition of Shakespeare's plays in 1632. Life and work Thomas Cotes became a "freeman" (a full member) of the S ...

(1757–60) * Rear-Admiral Charles Holmes (1760–61) * Commodore

Sir James Douglas James Douglas may refer to: Scottish noblemen Lords of Angus * James Douglas, 3rd Earl of Angus (1426–1446), Scottish nobleman * James Douglas, Earl of Angus (1671–1692), son of the 2nd Marquess of Douglas Lords of Douglas * James Douglas, ...

(1762) * Rear-Admiral Augustus Keppel (1762–64) * Rear-Admiral William Burnaby (1764–66) * Rear-Admiral William Parry (1766–69) * Commodore Arthur Forrest (1769–70) * Rear-Admiral

George Rodney Admiral George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney, KB ( bap. 13 February 1718 – 24 May 1792), was a British naval officer. He is best known for his commands in the American War of Independence, particularly his victory over the French at th ...

(1771–74) * Vice-Admiral Clark Gayton (1774–78) * Vice-Admiral

Peter Parker Spider-Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appearance, first appeared in the anthology comic book ''Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August ...

(1778–82) * Vice-Admiral

Joshua Rowley Vice-Admiral Sir Joshua Rowley, 1st Baronet (1734 – 1790) was a Royal Navy officer who was the fourth son of Admiral Sir William Rowley. Sir Joshua was from an ancient English family, originating in Staffordshire (England) and was born on ...

(1782–83) * Vice-Admiral

James Gambier Admiral of the Fleet James Gambier, 1st Baron Gambier, (13 October 1756 – 19 April 1833) was a Royal Navy officer. After seeing action at the capture of Charleston during the American Revolutionary War, he saw action again, as captain of the ...

(1783–84) * Captain

John Pakenham Vice-Admiral John Pakenham (1743–1807) was a Royal Navy officer who became Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaica Station. Naval career Promoted to post captain in 1780, Pakenham briefly served as Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaica Station in 1785 b ...

(1785) * Captain Alan Gardner (1785) * Rear-Admiral Alexander Innes (1786) * Commodore Alan Gardner (1786–89) * Rear-Admiral

Philip Affleck Admiral Philip Affleck ( December 21, 1799) was an admiral in the Royal Navy. He was the younger brother of Sir Edmund Affleck. Affleck held various commands throughout the latter half of the 18th Century, most notably as commander-in-chief ...

(1790–1793) * Commodore

John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...

(1793–95) * Rear-Admiral William Parker (1796) * Commodore

Richard Rodney Bligh Admiral Sir Richard Rodney Bligh, GCB ( bap. 8 November 1737 – 30 April 1821) was an officer of the Royal Navy. He saw service during the American War of Independence, as well as the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, eventually ri ...

(1796) * Vice-Admiral Sir Hyde Parker (1796–1800) * Vice-Admiral

Lord Hugh Seymour Vice-Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour (29 April 1759 – 11 September 1801) was a senior British Royal Navy officer of the late 18th century who was the fifth son of Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford, and became known for being both a ...

(1800–01) * Rear-Admiral Robert Montague (1802) * Vice-Admiral Sir John Duckworth (1803–04) * Vice-Admiral James Richard Dacres (1804–08) * Vice-Admiral Bartholomew Rowley (1809–11) * Commodore James Giles Vashon (1811) * Vice-Admiral

Charles Stirling Charles Stirling (28 April 1760 – 7 November 1833) was a vice-admiral in the British Royal Navy. Early life and career Charles Stirling was born in London on 28 April 1760 and baptised at St. Albans on 15 May. The son of Admiral Sir Walter ...

(1811–12) * Rear-Admiral William Brown (1813–14) * Vice-Admiral

Sir Alexander Cochrane Admiral of the Blue Sir Alexander Inglis Cochrane (born Alexander Forrester Cochrane; 23 April 1758 – 26 January 1832) was a senior Royal Navy commander during the Napoleonic Wars and achieved the rank of admiral. He had previously captai ...

(1814–15) * Rear-Admiral

John Erskine Douglas Admiral (Royal Navy), Admiral John Erskine Douglas (c. 1758 – 25 July 1847) was a senior British Royal Navy officer of the early nineteenth century who served in a number of vessels and participated at the destruction of the French ship of t ...

(1816–17) * Rear-Admiral

Sir Home Riggs Popham Rear Admiral Sir Home Riggs Popham, KCB, KCH (12 October 1762 – 20 September 1820), was a Royal Navy commander who saw service against the French during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He is remembered for his scientific accomplishme ...

(1817–20) * Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Rowley (1820–23)

Commander-in-Chief, West Indies

* Commodore Edward Owen (1823) * Vice Admiral

Lawrence Halsted Admiral Sir Lawrence William Halsted GCB (2 April 1764 – 22 April 1841) was an officer of the Royal Navy who served during the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Halsted was the son of a nava ...

(1824–27) * Vice-Admiral

Charles Elphinstone Fleeming Admiral Hon. Charles Elphinstone Fleeming (18 June 1774 – 30 October 1840) was a British officer of the Royal Navy who served during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He commanded a succession of smaller vessels during the ea ...

(1828–29)

Sub commands

References

Sources

* * * Cundall, Frank (1915). "Historic Jamaica : With fifty-two illustrations". archive.org. London : Published for the Institute of Jamaica by the West India Committee, pp. 28–31. *

External links

A voyage to the islands Madera, Barbados, Nieves, St. Christophers and Jamaica : with the natural history of the herbs and trees, four-footed beasts, fishes, birds, insects, reptiles, &c. of the last of those islands; to which is prefix'd an introduction, wherein is an account of the inhabitants, air, waters, diseases, trade &c of that place, with some relations concerning the neighbouring continent, and islands of America ... by Hans Sloane London : printed by B.M. R. Bentley and M. Magnes for the author, 1707-1725 (contains map of Jamaica Station). Royal Geographical Society of South Australia
{{Royal Navy fleets Commands of the Royal Navy Military units and formations established in 1655 Military units and formations disestablished in 1830