2143378Royal Naval Biography — Douglas, StairJohn Marshall


STAIR DOUGLAS, Esq
Rear-Admiral of the Blue.

This officer is a grandson of the late Sir John Douglas, of Kilhead, Bart. We are unable to give any further account of his services than that he served as a Midshipman during the American war, with his uncle, the late Captain Stair Douglas[1]; received his first commission as a Lieutenant from Lord Rodney; was promoted to the rank of Commander in the Scorpion sloop of war, on the Jamaica station, in 1795; became a Post-Captain, Sept. 13, 1797; obtained the command of the Nymphe frigate, in 1800; and commanded the Bellona, of 74 guns, forming part of Lord Gambier’s fleet on the memorable 11th April, 1809. His promotion to the rank of Rear-Admiral took place July 19, 1821. He married, July 1802, Anne, daughter of John Payne, of Stubington House, co. Hants, Esq.

Residence.– Ashling, near Chichester.



  1. Captain Stair Douglas commanded the Prince William of 64 guns, in the action between Sir Samuel Hood and the Count de Grasse, off Martinique, April 29, 1781; an account of which will be given under the head of Retired Captain John N. Ingelfield in our next volume.