David Hood

David Samuel Hood was born on August 30, 1691 in Portsmouth. His mother, the daughter of a Royal Navy shipwright, died a few months after his birth. His father, a non-commissioned officer aboard the Lynx (32 guns), died in an action against pirates off the coast of Africa. Thus David was raised by his uncle Samuel Hood, vicar of Butleigh in Somerset, father of future Admiral Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood. Growing up David began preparing for a life in the Church but during a trip to the Chatham dockyard all that changed. “Gazing upon all those great ships of war I felt compelled to follow in my father’s footsteps.” Although the elder Hood did not agree with David going into the Navy he worked to receive a midshipman’s appointment for David aboard Admiral Sir John Leake’s ship, Sovereign of the Seas (100 guns). David distinguished himself while serving under Admiral Leake, and was rewarded with a Lieutenants commission. David was transferred and served as 2nd Lieutenant aboard the Adventure (38 guns) and later as 1st Lieutenant aboard the Unicorn (46 guns) before his promotion to Master and transfer to the West Indies as part of the St. George Squadron of the White in command of HMS Merhonour (44 guns).



Record of Achievement

 * ''' January 27th, 1727 - Appointed Chief of Naval Operations
 *  January 26th, 1727 - Elected Governor of Spanish Town
 *  January 8th, 1727 - Elected Governor of Nassau
 * ''' March 8th, 1725 - Appointed Chief of Naval Personnel
 *  March 5th, 1725 - Elected Governor of Riding Rocks
 *  January 15th, 1725 - Promotion to Esquire
 *  December 27th 1724 - Transferred to the St. George Squadron

Commands

 *  January 16th, 1727 HMS Indefatigable (Adventure 48 Guns)
 *  December 27th, 1725 HMS Merhonour (Minerva 44 Guns)