Edward Jervis

Born in Greenwich, London on the 6th September 1700 to George and Charlotte Jervis, Edward was destined for the Royal Navy. Edward's lineage had been in the Royal Navy for over two hundred years. Edward's father trained his son for the Navy at every opportunity and had Edward on his ships roster at the age of eleven. George Jervis showed his son the life of a frigate aboard HMS Diligent. Patrolling up and down the Channel, Edward got to see how exhilarating and how mundane ship life could be. Edward thrived aboard the Diligent for three years before being transferred to HMS Joy where Edward would be the understudy of Captain John Dickson. By the age of sixteen Edward was a Lieutenant about the Joy and was well respected by his men and fellow Officers. After a year on the Joy, Jervis moved to HMS Constantinople, a thirty two gun frigate bound for the Mediterranean. The next two years would see fame and fortune for the young Officer with the capture of prizes. In one engagement with a French frigate Jervis would be the last Officer on the quarterdeck when a gun exploded killing the Captain.

Once seen to be an able Commander, Jervis was given the sloop HMS Rose. Participating in patrols and blockades, the Rose was desperate to see action. This was felt around the fleet and an assault on Toulon would be made. Jervis was given command of ferrying troops to the landing site and then would have to take the gunboats that were defending the harbour with a handful of men from the Rose and her sister ship HMS Thorn. The troops although under heavy fire were landed in good order, however when assaulting the gunboats, one of the Thorns boats capsized in the rough sea and so Jervis' men would have to work twice as hard. After an hours fighting Jervis achieved the goal of taking the gunboats however the landing forces were repulsed. For Jervis' coolness under fire and immense bravery he was made a Post Captain and given the command of the twenty eight gun HMS Irresistible. Jervis loved commanding the Irresistible however was seen as a talented young Officer who the Navy wanted to progress. After only seven months in command of the Irresistible Jervis was given command of the third rate HMS Passion. Jervis would gain much needed experience in fleet engagements and would become dedicated to gunnery. Seeing the potential the Admiralty sent Edward to the Caribbean to join the St. George Squadron of the White in their war with the French and Spanish, and their effort to suppress piracy for the safe transportation of British merchantmen. Jervis would be assigned to the second rate HMS Neptune and has become enthralled with his new Squadron.