X-Nico

4 unusual facts about Francis Hosier


Bastimentos Island

In 1727 the coast here witnessed the demise from tropical disease of much of the fleet of the English Admiral Francis Hosier.

Francis Hosier

It is an apology for the failure of Hosier's earlier mission, and seeks to absolve Hosier of having shown a lack of initiative, blaming rather Admiralty orders "not to fight", which were obeyed only "against his heart's warm motion", having been "sent in this foul clime to languish".

He captured the Heureux off Cape Clear in 1710 and distinguished himself in action with the Spanish off Cartagena in 1711.

The episode is described as follows in Percy's Reliques of 1765.



see also