Background
Nehemiah Bourne was born in London. He was the son of Robert and Mary Bourne.
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Nehemiah Bourne
Edit Profilemilitary naval officer rear admiral
Education
His father, a Wapping shipwright, desired in his will that Nehemiah become a scholar and be brought up at Cambridge University, but the son cared more for the father's trade than for the father's wishes.
Career
Bourne had the distinction of building Governor Winthrop's ship, the Trial, the first vessel of any size to be laid down at Boston. In 1638, he migrated to Massachusetts, where he was a shipbuilder and merchant first at Charlestown, later at Dorchester, and finally at Boston. The Trial was of between 160 and 200 tons burden, was ready in June 1641, but had to wait another year until her rigging arrived from London. The subsequent career of her builder, though not known in detail, is full of interest.
He was a major in the Parliamentary army, returned to Massachusetts to take back his family, and in 1650, he became commander of the frigate Speaker in the Parliamentary navy.
As commander of a squadron near the mouth of the Thames, he notified Admiral Blake on May 18, 1652, that Van Tromp with forty sail was off Southend-on-Sea. In the battle of the following day, he and his squadron played a prominent part. On that same day he was appointed "Rear Admiral of the Fleet of the Commonwealth of England and Captain of the ship of 60 guns. "
In less than a year, he was made Commissioner of the Navy, charged with refitting, victualing, and manning ships sent to Harwich and Yarmouth from the main fleet. At the same time he appears to have engaged in mercantile pursuits, probably in a way that legitimately combined public service with private profits. At the Restoration he decamped to the continent, was later pardoned, and spent his last years in England. He was buried in Bunhill Fields beside his beloved wife.
Achievements
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Nehemiah Bourne's greatest achievement in his navy career came when he was appointed as the commander of the frigate Speaker in the Parliamentary navy, Bourne brought to London the Scottish records, insignia, and regalia taken at Stirling Castle, for which he received a gold medal worth £60. Also, in 1652 he was captain of the Andrew, and in May was senior officer in The Downs, wearing a flag by special authority from Blake, when, on the 18th, the Dutch fleet under Maarten Tromp anchored off Dover.
Views
Quotations: On 13 April 1653 he stated: "would give some countenance and quicken the work. I ask for the sake of the service, for I am past such toys as to be tickled with a feather".
Connections
Bourne was married young to Hanna, by whom he had four sons and a daughter.
