Edward Needham

Background Story
Edward Hale Needham was born in Portsmouth England on January 30th, 1792, first born to Sir Douglas Needham and Abigal Needham. His father, a lesser noble, held the rank of Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy, with a quite distinguished career fighting in the American Revolution. In 1813, at the age of 21, Edward attended the Royal Navy Academy in Portsmouth, graduating at the top of his class, early, in 1815. Sir Douglas Needham passed away of Natural Causes in 1814 prior to his sons graduation, leaving his son to head the Needham Household. Edwards first commission as an Officer was on the H.M.S Gallant(Renamed later as the H.M.S Dove), a 70 Gun, Fourth Ship of the Line, under the command of Captain Joseph Dover. In 1818, while on a routine patrol North East of Jamaica, the H.M.S Gallant, along with the Frigates H.M.S Salisbury and H.M.S George were ambushed by a Pirate Flotilla, under guise as trader ships, led by Pirate Ed Rose. During the course of the several hour long engagement the H.M.S George and H.M.S Salisbury were destroyed, along with several of the small pirate vessel. The Gallant was severely crippled, with Captain Dover killed by a cannon malfunction. Now acting commanding officer, Edward Needham was able to gather several of the survivors onto a pirate Brig that had attempted, and failed, to board the Gallant. Before commanding the pirate vessel, Now acting Captain Needham, purposely punctured a barrel of oil, attaching it to the rudder of the vessel, before falling back aboard the captured brig.

The Gallant, being severely crippled, attempted to sail with a skeleton crew of pirates to Parrot Cay, surprisingly without escort. Captian Edward Needham was able to intercept the stolen vessel by setting flame to the oil in the water and following the trail. Edward and a small group of crew members boarded the vessel at night, killing the crew, and reclaiming command of the Gallant. With the help of the captured Brig, the Gallant was able to be safely towed to La Navasse and later to Port Royal for repairs. Due to the Heroic actions of reclaiming the Gallant and saving countless lives, Royal Navy Admiralty officially bestowed him the commission of the vessel H.M.S Gallant, which Captain Needham requested to be renamed as H.M.S Dove, in Honor of the late Captain Joseph Dover. Edward Needham was also officially promoted to Captain following this engagement. It was following this event that Admiralty assigned Captain Needham to the Saint George Squadron.

Captain Edward Needham is currently on approved sabbatical with the Royal Navy whilst the H.M.S Dove undergoes substantial repairs and personal transfers in Port Royal. He is currently engaged in trade along the coast of Guatemala.

Record of Achievement
Captain Edward Needham has only recently been selected to join the St. George Squadron. He has no achievements following his entrance with this society. His heroic actions in reclaiming the HMC Gallant preceded his entry into the St. George Squadron.

Commissions
H.M.S Dove(4th Rate, 70 Gun) H.M.S Valor(5th Rate, 40 Gun) H.M.S Francis(5th Rate, 42 Gun) H.M.S Heel (6th Rate, 26 Gun) H.M.S Savior (6th Rate, 20 Gun)

Trade Vessel/Privately Owned

Trade Brig Swift Trade Brig Cuba

Edward is currently commanding a fleet of trader vessels, privately owned by his household.

Record of Achievement

 *  August 22nd 1819 - Joined the St. George Squadron of the White.