A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Sprigg, George

1952353A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Sprigg, GeorgeWilliam Richard O'Byrne

SPRIGG. (Commander, 1844. f-p., 16; h-p., 6.)

George Sprigg entered the Navy, 22 Nov. 1825, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Doterel 18, Capts. Henry Edwards and Wm. Alex. Baillie Hamilton, in which vessel, and in the Grasshopper 18, Capt. Courtenay Edm. Wm. Boyle, he was for about two years employed on the coast of North America. He served next, from 1827 until 1832, in the Channel as Midshipman and Mate (he passed his examination in May of the latter year) in the Briton 46, Capt. Hon. Wm. Gordon, and Hermes steamer, Lieut.-Commander Andrew King; and after having been further employed on the West India and Home stations, in the capacity last mentioned, in the Serpent 16, Capt. John Chas. Symonds, and Hastings 72, Capt. Fras. Erskine Loch, he was promoted, 24 May, 1839, to the rank of Lieutenant, and appointed, 4 July following. Additional of the Melville 72, flag-ship of Hon. Geo. Elliot on the coast of Africa, where, and on the coast of Brazil, he held command, from 15 Dec. 1839 until 1842, and from 16 Sept. 1843 until the early part of 1844, of the Brisk 3 and Curlew 10. In those vessels he had the good fortune to capture, independently of numerous small craft, as many as 15 slavers, carrying in the whole upwards of 1400 negroes. He was promoted in consequence to his present rank 19 Dec. 1844. His last appointment was, 3 Feb. 1846, to the command, which he retained until paid off in the summer of 1847, of the Ferret 8, again on the African coast. Agents – Messrs. Halford and Co.