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by Judy S. Purcell (Author)
The authoritative biographies of merchant mariners and naval officers in one of Britain's leading seafaring families
"A tour de force. Judy Purcell brilliantly brings to life a remarkable dynasty of seafarers and naval officers at the heart of British maritime history for four centuries, setting their stories in the political, naval, and commercial contexts of their time. Deeply researched and richly illustrated, this is family history at its very best." -Bernard Capp, Emeritus Professor of History, University of Warwick, and author, Cromwell's Navy and British Slaves and Barbary Corsairs
From their origin in 1327 as farmers in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, the Haddock seafarers rose to become commanders and owners of merchant ships and officers in the English (later British) navy. From the 15th to the 20th centuries, 38 men in the extended family were seafarers. Political and religious radicals during the English Civil wars, they served as respected officers in the Royal Navy and advisors to kings and queens after the 1660 Restoration of the monarchy.
Over a 300-year span (1641 to 1941), 24 family members served in the navy, including four admirals, nine captains or commanders, and two lieutenants. One naval captain later became a commander of ships for the English East India Company.
These adventurous seafarers survived:
- storms and shipwreck on the world's oceans
- capture by pirates in the Mediterranean Sea
- enemy fire during numerous naval battles
- arduous trading voyages to India and China
Now for the first time the stories of their careers and family lives have been collected in a richly illustrated, full-color book.
The Haddock Family of English Seafarers: Merchant Mariners and Naval Officers 1327-1941 draws on hundreds of personal, naval, historical, and genealogical records, providing well documented portraits of the Haddock seafarers and their Holworthy and Thruston descendants. An appendix lists nearly 20 wars and naval actions in which Haddock family members served their country.
This is a valuable reference for maritime and naval historians, enthusiasts, descendants, and anyone interested in the Age of Sail, the Royal Navy, World War II, or ships and the sea. Includes 47 illustrations, 15 maps, a timeline, a detailed family chart, a glossary of maritime terms, and an index.
