Thomas Davers

Posted by Albert Parker on Sunday 24th of November 2019 03:47

FURTHER UPDATE: Although Richmond, II, 200, says that Davers relieved Ogle in February, Charnock, IV, 40, says Davers sailed from the St. Helen's anchorage off the Isle of Wight on November 11/22, 1744, and arrived at Jamaica on March 11/22, 1745. These dates are confirmed in notices in /London Gazette/, No. 8381 (Nov. 17, 1744), p. 3 (departure) and No. 8435 (May 28, 1745), p. 1 (arrival). Charnock says that Davers ran into a storm almost immediately and reached the rendezvous at Madeira almost alone on December 18/29, but was joined shortly by most of the rest of the ships of his convoy. A few merchantmen of the convoy arrived at Jamaica ahead of the body of the convoy and its escort.

Posted by Albert Parker on Sunday 24th of November 2019 03:23

While Davers might have been *appointed* commander-in-chief at Jamaica in May 1744, he was held up by the need for his services in home waters, and did not leave England until about the end of the year, judging by his arrival at Jamaica in February 1745. Since his predecessor, Vice-Admiral Sir Challoner Ogle, was senior to him and did not arrive in England until late May or early June (a variety of dates are given), he probably did not actually turn over command to Davers until March.