Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/St. Lo, George

602117Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 50 — St. Lo, George1897John Knox Laughton

ST. LO, GEORGE (d. 1718), commissioner of the navy, was on 16 Jan. 1677–8 appointed lieutenant of the Phœnix in the Mediterranean. From her he was removed to the Hampshire, and on 11 April 1682 he was promoted to be captain of the Dartmouth, to which he was recommissioned in March 1685. In August 1688 he was appointed to the Portsmouth, attached to the fleet in the river under Lord Dartmouth [see Legge, Geortge, Lord Dartmouth], and, continuing to command her after the revolution, was in 1690 captured by the French and carried, severely wounded, into Brest, where, and at Nantes, he remained a prisoner for some time. His wound probably disqualified him for further service afloat, and in 1692 he was appointed a commissioner of prizes, in 1693 an extra commissioner of the navy, and in 1695 resident-commissioner at Plymouth, where in 1697 he was directed to guard and assist the workmen employed in the construction of the first Eddystone lighthouse. For this service the Terrible was appointed; but in June St. Lo took her off to join the fleet, without leaving any other ship to take her place, whereupon a French privateer made a swoop on the rock and carried off all the workmen and the architect. They were, however, presently released, and St. Lo received a sharp reprimand from the navy board for his neglect of their orders. In 1703 he was moved to Chatham as resident commissioner, and on 21 Oct. 1712, on abolition of the office ‘for easing the public charge,’ he was appointed commander-in-chief of all ships in the Medway and at the Nore. On the accession of George I he was superseded, and was not employed again. His will (Somerset House, Tenison, 200), dated 4 Oct. 1716, and proved 8 Oct. 1718, mentions his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Amphilis Chiffinch, and his brother-in-law, Thomas Chiffinch; also two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, and a son John. Edward St. Lo [q. v.], who appears to have been another son, is not mentioned.

In 1693 St. Lo published an interesting, but now rare, pamphlet, under the title of ‘England's Safety, or a Bridle to the French King’ (sm. 4to).

[Charnock's Biogr. Nav. ii. 95; Duckett's Naval Commissioners; Hardy's Lighthouses; Commission and Warrant Books in the Public Record Office.]

J. K. L.