Royal Naval Biography/Maitland, Anthony

2199161Royal Naval Biography — Maitland, AnthonyJohn Marshall


HON. ANTHONY MAITLAND.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath, and M.P. for the County of Berwick.
[Post-Captain of 1806.]

Second son of James Earl of Lauderdale, K.T. by Eleanor, only daughter of Anthony Todd, Esq. and nephew to the late Lieutenant-General the Right Hon. Sir Thomas Maitland, G.C.B. Governor of Malta, &c. &c.[1] This officer was born June 10, 1785; and we first find him serving as a Midshipman on board the Medusa frigate, bearing the flag of Lord Nelson, by whom he is said to have “particularly distinguished himself” at the attack of the Boulogne flotilla, in Aug. 1801; on which occasion he was severely wounded. His commission as a Lieutenant bears date Feb. 2, 1805; he obtained the rank of Commander May 6, 1806; and was made a Post-Captain Sept. 25, in the same year.

Captain Maitland’s first appointment was to the Arrogant, an old worn out 74, stationed at Bombay as a guard-ship and sheer-hulk, the command of which he assumed early in 1807. During the latter part of the war he commanded the Pique frigate, on the West India station, and there captured the Hawk, American privateer of 5 guns and 68 men. In 1816, he was appointed to the Glasgow 50, which ship formed part of Lord Exmouth’s squadron at Algiers, and sustained considerable damage on that glorious occasion. Her loss consisted of 10 killed and 37 wounded.

Captain Maitland was nominated a C.B. Sept. 21, 1816; and re-appointed to the Glasgow Aug. 21, 1817. He returned home from the Mediterranean station, and paid off his fine frigate, in Mar. 1821.



  1. Sir Thomas Maitland was the commanding officer of a military detachment serving on board the Monarca 68, one of the squadron under Sir Edward Hughes in the battle off Cuddalore, June 20, 1783 – see Vol. I. last par. of the note at p. 425.