Thomas Graves was responsible for the appointment of James Cook in 1763 as Surveyor of Newfoundland.
Thomas Graves was born in Thanckes, Cornwall, on 23 October, 1725. He was a son of Rear-Admiral Thomas Graves and his second wife Elizabeth Budgell. The extended Graves family had a naval tradition with several admirals and other officers. Young Thomas entered the navy, and early service included time with his father in HMS Norfolk, and time in HMS Romney under Captain Medley in the West Indies.
Graves received his commission as lieutenant in June 1743, while in Romney. He continued as a lieutenant in HMS Monmouth and Assistance before being promoted commander in March 1754, and given charge of the sloop Hazard. For work in her off the Brittany coast, Lord Anson made him a post-captain in July 1755.
Thereafter, the first task for Graves was to recommission HMS Sheerness, a sixth rate ship of 20 guns. He captured several French vessels during the next 18 months, including the Treize Cantons on 11 December, 1755. However, in December 1756 he failed to engage with a French East Indiaman, believing her to be a French sail of the line. He was found guilty at a court-martial, but only “publicly reprimanded”, probably through Anson’s involvement. Graves continued in command of Sheerness.
Graves transferred to HMS Unicorn, a sixth rate of 28 guns in May 1757. An eventful 3½ years followed until November 1760, during which he was involved in the destruction of the French privateer Calypso, the capture of privateers Duc d’Harcourt and Moras, and the bombardment of the French port of Le Havre.
In May 1761, Graves was appointed Governor of Newfoundland, and given command of HMS Antelope, a fourth rate ship of 50 guns. She soon sailed to the island, returning later that year.
Graves sailed again to Newfoundland with a convoy of fishing vessels in June 1762. Graves learned that a French squadron under Charles Louis d’Arsac, the Chevalier de Ternay, had captured St John’s, the island’s capital, that same month. Graves diverted to the port of Placentia, and waited for assistance from Commodore Alexander, Lord Colvill, who arrived with a flotilla from Halifax, Nova Scotia. One of the ships was Northumberland, whose master was James Cook. When Colvill’s flotilla arrived, they sailed together and captured St. John’s in September 1762.
Graves realised the need for better charts of Newfoundland, and had seen examples of Cook's work at St. John’s, so was instrumental in 1763 for the appointment of James Cook as Surveyor of Newfoundland. Graves also purchased for Cook’s use the schooner Sally, which was renamed Grenville.
At the beginning of the 1764 season, Graves was replaced as governor by Captain Hugh Palliser. Cook, when he learned of the change, wrote to Graves
I learnt this day at the Admiralty of your arrival of which I give you joy, and have to acquaint you, that soon after my arrival, I gave my surveys into the board which was approved of, and was then order'd to draw a fair copie of St Peters and Miquelong to be laid before the King, these and the different Captains Sketches is finished and given in to the board. Those that you intend for the Board of Trade are ready. I had not the honour to see Mr Grenvill when I gave in the Plan, but am convinced it was well received, as he made me an offer soon after (by Mr Whatley Secretary to the Treasury) to go as one of the Surveyors to the Natral Islands, which I was obliged to decline, your favourable recommendation of me to this Gentleman, likewise, to the Admiralty, together with many other signal favours I have received during the short time I have had the honour to be under your command shall ever be had in the most gratfull remembrance and tho' Captain Pallisser, who is appointed to the command in Newfoundland is a Gentleman I have been long acquainted with yet I cannot help being sorry that you do not enjoy that officer longer.1
Graves was given command of HMS Téméraire, then Edgar (involving an expedition to West Africa), Cambridge, Raisonnable and Nonsuch. In early 1777, Graves commissioned HMS Conqueror, a third rate ship of 74 guns. Sailing to North America in 1778, Graves was appointed commodore in October. He was promoted rear-admiral in March 1779, and given command of HMS Formidable, soon afterwards transferring to London.
On 19 May, 1780, Graves sailed for North America where he blockaded Rhode Island. London was involved in the Battle of Cape Henry near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, on 16 March, 1781, suffering damage.
In July 1781, Graves assumed command of the North American station and, on 5 September, he led the British fleet against the French, under Admiral de Grasse, at the Battle of Chesapeake Bay. Graves missed opportunities in the battle that would have won it for the British. One result was the British army being forced to surrender at Yorktown, inside Chesapeake Bay.
Later in September, Graves was relieved of the command of the station, and ordered south in London to be commander-in-chief of the Jamaican station. However, he was delayed by various events around New York, and sailed only on 10 November. A relatively quiet seven months then ensued.
In July 1782, Graves was ordered to escort a convoy to Britain. However, a hurricane caused havoc with many ships sunk and thousands of lives lost. Graves saw no further active service until November 1786, when he became the commander in chief at Plymouth until the end of January 1791. He resumed the Plymouth position in 1793 with his flag in Royal Sovereign.
Graves was promoted admiral on 12 April, 1794, and led part of the Channel fleet later that month, taking part in the Battle of the Glorious First of June in the Atlantic Ocean. In the battle, he was badly wounded in his right arm, and retired to his Devon estate. However, he became an Admiral of the White in 1801. He received an Irish peerage as First Baron Graves in 1794.
Thomas Graves married Elizabeth Peere-Williams on 22 June, 1771, at Ottery St Mary in Devonshire. They had three daughters and two sons. Graves died on 9 February, 1802, at Cadhay, near Ottery St. Mary. His will was proven on 22 July, 1802.2
John Robson
References
- Letter from James Cook to Thomas Graves dated 15 March, 1764. Reference GRV/106, MSS. 9365. Held at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.
- Reference PROB 11/1378/168. Held at The National Archives (TNA), Kew.
Originally published in Cook's Log, page 24, volume 48, number 4 (2025).