Henry Hemmington

Posted by Roy Hemington on Friday 5th of January 2024 11:36

This Henry Hemington was born in 1717 and he was the son of John Hemington who became a Rear-Admiral in 1747. He joined the Navy (HMS Dorsetshire) as an Able Seaman in April 1734. He was promoted to Midshipman (on HMS Dorsetshire) in November 1734 (ref ADM 51/242). He then joined HMS Blandford in Feb 1735/6 again serving as a Midshipman (ref ADM 51/113). In May 1738 he joined HMS Princess Amelia (his father had just been made its Commander) as the Master's Mate (ref ADM 36/2502), but then in December 1738 he transferred briefly to HMS Lenox to serve as an Able Seaman (ref ADM 36/1714). He moved on again in April 1739 to HMS Augusta, to serve initially as a Midshipman (ref ADM 36/181 and 182) then as the Master's Mate (ref ADM 36/182). He then briefly served as an Able Seaman on HMS Falkland from April-May 1740 and HMS Tiger from May-June 1740. After passing his Lieutenant's certificate in June 1740 he then returned to serve on HMS Princess Amelia as the 4th Lieutenant/ Lieutenant at Arms in August 1740 (ref ADM 6/15). He would later be promoted to 3rd Lieutenant and then 2nd Lieutenant on HMS Princess Amelia, before transferring to HMS Victory as a 5th Lieutenant on the 13th July 1744 (ref ADM 16). He was then promoted to 4th Lieutenant on the 26th July 1744. He was among the ship's company that died when HMS Victory was wrecked in violent storms off the Channel Island of Alderney on the 5th October 1744.