Will Collister

Biography
Captains full name: The Most Honourable Lord William Collister, 1st Viscount Falmouth, of Falmouth in the County of Cornwall, Baron Collister, of St. Michael's Mount in the County of Cornwall, Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, Captain of His Majesty's Royal Navy

Rank Held in the squadron: Viscount

Career: Naval Officer

Age of joining the Navy: 9

Current Age: 29

Reason for joining the RN: To further the family's naval traditon; to serve King and Country.

Personality and traits: Authorative, judicious, loyal, direct.

Captain's Quote: "No peace beyond the line."

Aims and goals: To serve King and Country, to rid the West Indies of his Royal Brittanic Majesty's enemies, and to protect the interests of the Crown in the Caribbean.

Naval Action
Captain Collister returned to the Caribbean July 6th, 1816, to serve once more with the Squadron.

Ships
Present commands

HMS Peregrine - 18-gun sloop-of-war, Rattlesnake-class. Stationed at Barcos.

30-gun frigate, Renommee-class. Stationed at Carlisle.

30-gun frigate, Renommee-class. Stationed at Great Corn.

54-gun frigate, Constitution-class. Stationed at Port Royal.

74-gun ship of the line, Bellona-class. Stationed at Carlisle.

Captain's Log
Captain Collister kept a detailed logbook accounting his battles and engagements in the Caribbean during his first tour of service.

Friends and Family
James Lupus: An old friend of Captain Collister.



Record of Achievement

 *  March 8th, 1722 - Travels to Europe to work with the Royal Society. Goes on half-pay.


 *  March 1st, 1722 - Receives Long Service and Good Conduct Ribbon


 *  February 1st, 1722 - Receives Governer's Commendation


 *  October 14th, 1721 - Relieved of duties as Chief of Naval Operations


 *  September 2nd, 1721 - Receives Distinguished Service Cross


 *  September 2nd, 1721 - Promotion to 1st Viscount Falmouth, of Falmouth in the County of Cornwall


 *  August 27th, 1721 - Appointed Chief of Naval Operations


 *  August 27th, 1721 - Relieved of duties as Squadron Chaplain


 *  August 2nd, 1721 - Promotion to Baron Collister, of St. Michael's Mount in the County of Cornwall


 *  June 1st, 1721 - Appointed Squadron Chaplain


 *  June 1st, 1721 - Promotion to Knight


 *  May 7th, 1721 - Receives Military Cross


 *  May 7th, 1721 - Promotion to Esquire


 *  April 1st, 1721 - Receives Admiral's Commendation


 *  March 9th, 1721 - Promotion to Master


 *  February 12th, 1721 - Enlisted in the squadron, ranked Gentleman

Ship History
Served aboard

HMS Russell - 80-gun third-rate Ship of the Line. Commissioned: March 16th, 1710.

HMS Assistance - 50-gun fourth-rate Ship of the Line. Commissioned: June 24th, 1713.

HMS Canterbury - 60-gun fourth-rate Ship of the Line. Commissioned: January 1st, 1718.

HMS Eagle - 36-gun fifth-rate frigate. Commissioned: August 12th, 1718.

Previous commands

HMS Camilla - 8-gun sloop, Bermuda-class. Commissioned: August 25th, 1719.

HMS Guardian - 20-gun sixth-rate frigate, Postillionen-class. Commissioned: December 12th, 1719.

HMS Surprise - 30-gun fifth-rate frigate, Stralsund-class. Commissioned: January, 1720.

HMS Peregrine - 32-gun fifth-rate frigate, Falcon-class. Commissioned: January, 1720.

HMS Paladin - 34-gun fifth-rate frigate, Defiant-class. Commissioned: February, 1720.

HMS Typhoon - 36-gun fifth-rate frigate, Raa Mastercraft-class. Commissioned: March, 1720.

HMS Colossus - 36-gun fifth-rate frigate, Deliverance-class. Commissioned: April, 1720.

HMS Centurion - 40-gun fifth-rate frigate, Minerva-class. Commissioned: April, 1720.

HMS Crusader - 40-gun fifth-rate frigate, Conquistador-class. Commissioned: April, 1720.

HMS Nimbus - 32-gun fifth-rate frigate, Stralsund Mastercraft-class. Commissioned: March, 1720.

HMS Triton - 42-gun fifth-rate frigate, Tigre Mastercraft-class. Commissioned: April, 1721.

Present commands

HMS Lancelot - 16-gun sloop-of-war, Lancer-class. Commissioned: August, 1721.

HMS Aeolus - 44-gun fifth-rate frigate, Hercules Sleek-class. Commissioned: July, 1721.

HMS Longbow - 46-gun fifth-rate frigate, Mercy-class. Commissioned: March, 1721.

HMS Bellerophon - 52-gun fourth-rate Ship of the Line, Reason-class. Commissioned: August, 1721.

HMS Manannan - 56-gun fourth-rate Ship of the Line, Macedon-class. Commissioned: May, 1720.

HMS Africa - 76-gun third-rate Ship of the Line, Wenden-class. Commissioned: June, 1721.

HMS Hope and Glory - 88-gun second-rate Ship of the Line, Triumphant-class. Commissioned: May, 1721.

Background Story
February 12th, 1721: Enlists with St. George's Squadron of the White and sets sail once again.

May 31st, 1720 - February 12th, 1721: Spends time ashore in Port Royal, recovering.

May 31st, 1720: Forced to take shore-leave due to serious injuries recieved in battle.

May 23rd, 1720: Suffers heavy defeat against pirate captain Camela Cola. Recieves two slash wounds to the arms and a stab wound to the chest.

December 12th, 1719 - May 23rd, 1720: Patrols the Caribbean, engaging the enemies of the Crown. Recieves several commissions during this time.

December 12th, 1719: Recieves promotion to the rank of Post-Captain and is given command of HMS Guardian. Ordered to patrol the Caribbean and sink the enemies of his Royal Britannic Majesty in these waters.

December 8th, 1719: Meets old friend James Lupus at the Grapes in Port Royal. Saves Mr. Lupus from an embarassing affair involving certain untaxed liquors, the Governer's wife and an obstinate goat. Consequently, Mr. Lupus purchases the HMS Camilla out of the service and presents her to Collister as a gift.

December 7th, 1719: Arrives in Port Royal aboard HMS Camilla.

October 2nd, 1719: Reaches destinated co-ordinates. Opens sealed orders. Instructed to sail to Port Royal and report to the Admiralty.

September 29th, 1719: Sets sail from Gibraltar.

September 22nd, 1719: Arrives at Gibraltar. Recieves sealed orders to be opened at 32° 0′ 0″ N, 10° 0′ 0″ W.

September 5th, 1719: Rendevouzs with Admiral Byng. Recieves orders to immediately set sail to Gibraltar, and there to victual and refit for a "long journey".

September 1st, 1719: Sets sail from Port Mahon.

August 25th, 1719: Partly due to his many connections, is promoted to Master and Commander and given command of the 8-gun sloop HMS Camilla. Ordered to rendevouz with Admiral George Byng, post-haste.

September 1st, 1718 - August 25th, 1719: Spends time ashore at Port Mahon on half-pay. Becomes good friends with the influential Governer Richard Kane and spends much time advising him on setting up the defences of Menorca. Meets James Lupus now and then, whenever his dealings bring him to Menorca. Also has the pleasure of dining with the equally influential Captain Walton (who was knighted in 1721 for his part in the battle of Cape Passaro) on several occasions. Is even as fortunate enough as to dine with the great Lord George Byng (later Rear-Admiral of Great Britain and member of the privy council of his Royal Majesty King George I) on a couple of occasions.

September 1st, 1718: Goes ashore at Port Mahon and is relieved of duty. Recieves great praise from the Admiralty for part taken in the battle of Cape Passaro and is given special mention in the Naval Chronicle.

August 12th, 1718: Recieves command of the captured Aguila. Ordered to take her to Port Mahon.

August 11th, 1718: Takes part in the battle of Cape Passaro. Leads a boarding party onto the Spanish ship Aguila, 36 and successfully takes control of her.

January 1st, 1718: Assigned 3rd Lieutenant aboard the Canterbury under Captain George Walton.

December 12th, 1717 - December 31st, 1718: Spends time ashore nervously awaiting orders from the Admiralty.

December 12th, 1717: Passes for Lieutenant.

December 1st, 1717 - December 12th 1717: Spends time ashore studying for Lieutenant exam.

December 1st, 1717: HMS Assistance arrives in London to be given to a new Captain. Is relieved of duty as she recieves a new crew and consequently goes ashore. Mr. Lewes, is transferred to HMS Mary, and the two Captains do not meet again until almost 4 years later.

March 10th, 1716 - November 12th, 1717: HMS Assistance again stationed in the Baltic to protect supplies of naval stores.

October 5th, 1716 - March 9th, 1716: HMS Assistance charged with carrying the Ambassador to Turkey. There Collister meets Sam Jackson (British privateer operating in those waters).

September 1st, 1715 - October 4th, 1716: HMS Assistance stationed in the Baltic to protect supplies of naval stores.

March 1st, 1715: HMS Assistance arrives in London to refit and victual. Recieves a new captain; namely, Captain Edward Vernon (later to become an MP in 1721). Future fellow Squadron Captain Jock Lewes boards vessel as 3rd Lieutenant.

July 1st, 1713 - February 4th, 1715: HMS Assistance stationed at Port Mahon to protect British shipping from corsair activity.

June 30th, 1713: HMS Assistance sets sail from Port Mahon.

June 24th, 1713: HMS Assistance arrives at Port Mahon. Assigned Midshipman.

May 12th, 1713 - June 24th, 1713: Spends time ashore in Port Mahon. Meets and befriends James Lupus, a young and budding merchant.

May 12th, 1713: Goes ashore at Port Mahon and is relieved of duty. Recieves orders to await HMS Assistance.

April 20th, 1713: HMS Russell sets sail to Port Mahon.

April 11th, 1713: Peace of Utrecht.

March 31st, 1712 - April 11th, 1713: HMS Russell patrols the Baleares.

March 31st, 1712: Rated Midshipman aboard HMS Russell.

April 20th, 1710 - March 31st, 1712: HMS Russell patrols the Baleares.

April 20th, 1710: HMS Russell rendevouzs with Mediterranean squadron.

March 21st, 1710: HMS Russell sets sail to Menorca.

March 16th, 1710: Joins the crew of HMS Russell and is rated seaman.

March 10th, 1710: Arrives in London.

March 1st, 1710: Crosses to England with father.

December 12th, 1705 - March 1st, 1710: Spends much time learning the art of seamanship from his father.

July 20th, 1703: First accompanys father at sea on a small yacht.

December 12th, 1700: Born in Port Erin, Isle of Man.