Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Aplin, Peter

658576Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 02 — Aplin, Peter1885John Knox Laughton

APLIN, PETER (1753–1817), admiral, was midshipman of the Roebuck on 9 Oct. 1776, when her first lieutenant was killed in action with the batteries at the mouth of North River [see Parker, Hyde (2)], and was promoted to the vacancy caused by his death. Aplin's further promotion was rapid, and on 23 Nov. 1780 he was appointed captain of the Fowey frigate of 24 guns. He was still in her at Yorktown in the following October, when she was destroyed by the enemy's red-hot shot; after which he served, with his crew, on shore under the orders of Lord Cornwallis. He had no further service at sea until, in 1797, he was appointed to the Hector of 74 guns, which, after the battle off Cape St. Vincent, reinforced the fleet off Cadiz. He continued in this command for nearly two years, when he was promoted to flag rank. As an admiral, however, he never served, although, he passed through the several gradations by seniority, and attained the high rank of admiral of the white before his death, which occurred on 17 April 1817.

[Gent. Mag. lxxxvii. 89.]

J. K. L.