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Lord Washington Shirley (5th Earl Ferrers)


NationalityBritish 
RolesNaval Sailor 
Date of Birth26.5.1722CSORN
First Known Service10.7.1735CSORN
FatherLaurence Shirley (1693-1743)ref:952
MotherAnne Clarges (d.1782)ref:952
WifeAnne Elliot (1723-1791) - Married 1.12.1747 - St George’s, East Stonehouse, Devon ref:952
BrotherLaurence, 4th Earl Ferrers (1720-1760)ref:952
BrotherRobert, 6th Earl Ferrers (1723-1787)ref:952
BrotherRev. Walter (1726-1786)ref:952
Brother
Thomas ShirleyBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1755-1791
ref:952
Last Known Service29.1.1778CSORN
Date of Death1.10.1778 - Chartley Manor Place, Staffordshire CSORN
Burial11.10.1778 - Staunton Harold, Leicestershire ref:1220

Event History


Date fromDate toEventSource
10.7.17358.8.1737
Falkland (50) 1720-1743
British 50 Gun
4th Rate Ship of the Line
, Captain's Servant ADM 107/3/437
ADM 107/3
9.8.173711.9.1738
Falkland (50) 1720-1743
British 50 Gun
4th Rate Ship of the Line
, Able Seaman ADM 107/3/437
ADM 107/3
1738 Entered the NavyODNB
12.9.173817.7.1741
Pembroke (60) 1733-1749
British 60 Gun
4th Rate Ship of the Line
, Midshipman ADM 107/3/437
ADM 107/3
17.7.1741 Passed the Lieutenant's Examination ADM 107/3/437RNLPC
6.1.1741/42 LieutenantADM 6/15
6.1.1741/4214.6.1743
Looe (44) 1741-1744
British 44 Gun
5th Rate Ship
, Third Lt. & Lt. at Arms ADM 6/16/1
ADM 6/15
15.3.1743/448.1.1744/45
Prince Frederick (70) 1740-1784
British 70 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
, Third Lieutenant ADM 6/16/280
ADM 6/16
9.1.1744/4510.1.1744/45
Lark (44) 1744-1757
British 44 Gun
5th Rate Ship
, First Lieutenant ADM 6/16/419
ADM 6/16
11.1.1744/4525.8.1745
Pearl (44) 1744-1759
British 44 Gun
5th Rate Ship
, First Lieutenant ADM 6/16/420
ADM 6/16
26.8.1745 CommanderADM 6/16
26.8.17454.3.1745/46
Hawk (8) 1741-1747
British 8 Gun
Unrated Sloop
, Commander, and Commanding Officer ADM 6/16/534
ADM 6/16
19.4.1746 CaptainODNB
19.4.174623.1.1746/47
Fox (20) 1746-1751
British 20 Gun
6th Rate Ship
, Captain, and Commanding Officer ADM 6/17/92
BWAS-1714
24.1.1746/475.12.1747
Dover (44) 1740-1763
British 44 Gun
5th Rate Ship
, Captain, and Commanding Officer ADM 6/17/193
BWAS-1714
1.12.1747 Married Anne, no childrenODNB
5.12.174722.12.1747
Gloucester (50) 1744-1764
British 50 Gun
4th Rate Ship of the Line
, Captain, and Commanding Officer ADM 6/17/291
ADM 6/17
27.1.1747/4815.4.1751
Fame (30) 1747-1771
British 30 Gun
6th Rate Frigate
1748 Renamed "Renown"
, Captain, and Commanding Officer ADM 6/17/315
BWAS-1714
3.1.175420.1.1754
Bridgewater (24) 1744-1758
British 24 Gun
6th Rate Ship
, Captain, and Commanding Officer ADM 6/18/86
ADM 6/18
20.1.17548.11.1756
Mermaid (24) 1749-1760
British 24 Gun
6th Rate Ship
, Captain, and Commanding Officer ADM 6/18/88
BWAS-1714
22.5.175514.6.1755British attack on Fort Beauséjour 
8.11.175617.2.1757
Monmouth (70) 1742-1767
British 70 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
, Captain, and Commanding Officer ADM 6/18/320
ADM 6/18
7.3.175810.1.1759
Duc d'Aquitaine (64) 1757-1761
British 64 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
, Captain, and Commanding Officer ADM 6/18/493
BWAS-1714
5.6.175812.6.1758Raid on Saint-Malo 
10.1.175922.2.1760
Temple (68) 1758-1762
British 68 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
, Captain, and Commanding Officer: On board from 16.2.1759 ADM 6/19/21
BWAS-1714
20.11.1759 Battle of Quiberon Bay 
5.5.1760 Succeeded as 5th Earl Ferrersref:952
14.12.17611.10.1778Elected a Fellow of the Royal Societyref:1220
31.3.1775 Rear-Admiral of the WhiteODNB
7.12.1775 Vice-Admiral of the BlueADM 6/21
29.1.1778 Vice-Admiral of the WhiteODNB

Previous comments on this page

Posted by Albert Parker on Sunday 1st of September 2019 20:48

This officer will be found in biographical dictionaries and Charnock, Biographia Navalis, under his title (under "F" for "Ferrers"). He was childless and was succeeded by two younger brothers, but the title is still in existence, held by the 14th earl (born 1952).


Posted by David Stockman on Tuesday 21st of July 2015 02:59

Please use "Renown" instead of "Fame". The Admiralty changed the name before Washington took command. Previous to becoming a RN ship he captured her from the French in Sept. of 1747 and was named then la Renommée. He requested to command her and it was approved. Thanks!


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