William Fanshawe Martin

Background

William Fanshawe Martin was born on December 5, 1801, the place of birth is unknown. He the eldest son of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thomas Martin and Catherine Martin.

Career

Entering the navy at the age of twelve, his father's interest secured his rapid promotion: he was made a lieutenant on December 15, 1820; on February 8, 1823 he was promoted to be commander of the "Fly" sloop, his good service in which in support of the interests of British merchants at Callao secured his promotion as captain on June 5, 1824. He afterwards served in the Mediterranean and on the home station. In 1849-1852 he was commodore commanding the Channel squadron, and gave evidence of a remarkable aptitude for command. He was made rear-admiral in May 1853, and for the next four years was superintendent of Portsmouth dockyard. He was made vice-admiral in February 1858, and after a year as a lord of the admiralty, was appointed commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean. The discipline of the navy was then bad. It was a tradition sprung from the wholesale shipment of gaol-birds during the old war, that the men were to be treated without consideration; moreover the ships had been largely filled up with "bounty men" bought into the service with a £10 note without training. Out of this unpromising material Martin formed the fleet which was at that time the ideal of excellence. He had no war service, and, beyond the Italian disturbance of 1860-1861, no opportunity for showing diplomatic ability. But his memory lives as that of the reformer of discipline and the originator of a comprehensive system of steam manoeuvres. He became an admiral in November 1863, and on December 4 succeeded to the baronetcy which had been conferred on his grandfather. His last appointment was the command at Plymouth, 1866-1869, and in 1870 he was put on the retired list. In 1873 the G. C. B. was conferred on him, and in 1878 he was made rear-admiral.

William Fanshawe Martin died on March 24, 1895.

Achievements

• Sir William Martin, best known in the navy as "Fly" Martin, was a prominent commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean 1861-1862, was the senior admiral on the retired list, and rear-admiral of the United Kingdom at the time of his death.
  
  William Martin was awarded the Order of the Bath in 1873.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Cyprus as a naval station and a place of arms.

    ( Title: Cyprus as a naval station and a place of arms. ...)

Connections

On July 24, 1826, William Martin married Anne Best, daughter of Lord Wynford. Following the death of his first wife in 1836, he married Sophia, daughter of Richard Hurt, on May 21, 1838. He had several children.

Father:

Sir Thomas Byam Martin

Sir Thomas Byam Martin was a Royal Navy officer.

Mother:

Catherine Fanshawe

Sister:

Elizabeth Ann Martin

Sister:

Catherine Martin

Sister:

Williamina Mary Martin

Wife:

Anne Drapper

Wife:

Sophia Elizabeth Hart

Daughter:

Caroline Martin

Daughter:

Sophia Martin

Daughter:

Georgiana Martin

Daughter:

Harriet Martin

Daughter:

Anne Martin

Daughter:

Catherine Martin

Daughter:

Grace Martin

Daughter:

Elizabeth Anne Martin

Son:

Richard Byam Martin

Son:

Thomas Byam Martin

Son:

William Best Martin

Brother:

Sir Henry Byam Martin

Sir Henry Byam Martin was a senior Royal Navy officer and watercolour artist.

Brother:

Robert Fanshawe Martin