Hugh Burgoyne
Hugh Burgoyne | |
---|---|
Born | 17 July 1833 Dublin, Ireland |
Died | 7 September 1870 (aged 37) Cape Finisterre |
Buried | |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | Royal Navy |
Rank | Captain |
Commands held | HMS Captain |
Battles/wars | Crimean War |
Awards | Victoria Cross |
Captain Hugh Talbot Burgoyne VC (17 July 1833 – 7 September 1870) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross. Born in Dublin, he was the son of John Fox Burgoyne and the grandson of John Burgoyne.
Burgoyne was a 21-year-old Royal Navy lieutenant, serving in the Crimean War when he performed the deed for which he was awarded the VC.
Details
On 29 May 1855, in the
Burgoyne was Commander on HMS Ganges under Captain John Fulford during that vessel's service in the waters of the Colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia during the fledgling years of the latter colony's establishment. "When the American merchant ship Northern Eagle was burned in Esquimalt Harbour, Captain Burgoyne was highly commended for his efforts to save everything possible from the burning ship. Seamen from the Ganges, Pylades, Tribune, and Plumper also assisted."[2]
Later career
Burgoyne later achieved the rank of captain and was killed when in command of HMS Captain, which capsized off Cape Finisterre during a gale on 7 September 1870. This revolutionary masted turret ship had been the subject of considerable controversy during its design and construction and its loss was attributed to its poor stability.
Burgoyne is buried in Brompton Cemetery, London towards the north-east corner.[3]
Legacy
Burgoyne Bay in British Columbia was named after him in 1859.
References
- ^ "No. 21971". The London Gazette. 24 February 1857. p. 650.
- ^ Canadian Geographical Names Database, quoted in the British Columbia Geographical Names Database listing "Burgoyne Bay"[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Residents of Brompton Cemetery". Archived from the original on 23 August 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2007.
Listed in order of publication year
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
- Clarke, Brian D. H. (1986). "A register of awards to Irish-born officers and men". The Irish Sword. XVI (64): 185–287.
- Ireland's VCs(Dept of Economic Development 1995)
- Monuments to Courage(David Harvey, 1999)
- ISBN 185182491X)