A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Maitland, Thomas
MAITLAND, Kt., C.B. (Captain, 1837.)
Sir Thomas Maitland, born in 1803, is only son of Hon. Wm. Mordaunt Maitland, a General in the Army, by his first wife, Mary, widow of John Travers, Esq., of Fir Grove, co. Cork, and daughter of the Rev. Rich. Orpen, of Killowen. He is grandson of James, seventh Earl of Lauderdale, a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army; and first-cousin of Rear-Admiral Hon. Sir Anthony Maitland, C.B., K.C.M.G.
This officer entered the Navy 22 Sept. 1816, and was made Lieutenant, 16 May, 1823, into the Euryalus 42, Capt. Augustus Wm. Jas. Clifford. His next appointments were, 20 Dec. 1825, and 1 March, 1826, to the Superb 78, Capt. Henry Hill, guardship at Portsmouth, and Ganges 84, fitting for the flag of Sir Robt. Waller Otway, Commander-in-Chief in South America. Obtaining a second promotal commission 30 April, 1827, he successively assumed command, 14 June, 1832, and 4 April, 1835, of the Sparrowhawk 18 and Tweed 20. In the former vessel, which he paid off 7 May, 1833, Capt. Maitland brought home 589,405 Mexican dollars and 42 bales of cochineal; in the Tweed, the command whereof he retained until posted, 10 Jan. 1837, he served during the civil war on the north coast of Spain, and was in consequence presented with the Cross of Charles III. On 19 June in the year last mentioned we find him nominated Captain of the Wellesley 72, in which ship he continued employed under the flags of Sir Fred. Lewis Maitland and Sir Gordon Bremer, until paid off in the summer of 1842. In 1838 he commanded the seamen and marines landed for the purpose of quelling an insurrection on the coast of Malabar; he participated, in 1839, in the operations on the coast of Sinde and in the Persian Gulf; and during the hostilities in China he obtained mention for his zeal and alacrity at the capture of Chusan in July, 1840, and for the valuable assistance he afforded Sir Gordon Bremer at the reduction of Tycocktow, 7 Jan. 1841[1] – was present with H.M. Plenipotentiary at a formal meeting which was held with the Chinese Commissioner on 26 of the same month[2] – again acquired the public thanks of Sir G. Bremer for the cordial aid he afforded him in the action which preceded the capture of the Bogue Forts, 26 Feb.[3] – had charge of the Wellesley’s boats during the original advance of the British towards Canton[4] – commanded the first naval battalion, consisting of 11 officers and 172 of other ranks, at the storming of the heights in the vicinity of that city during the operations which led to its re-capture[5] – elicited notice for the admirable manner in which he placed the Wellesley (within 400 yards of the principal battery) in the attack upon Amoy, 26 Aug.[6] – and in Oct. of the same year (1841) was further praised for his skill, zeal, and ability at the reduction of Chusan and Chinghae.[7] For these services Capt. Maitland was nominated a C.B. 29 June, 1841; and in 1843 invested with the honour of Knighthood. He has been in command, since 10 Nov. 1846, of the America 50., on the coast of Portugal.
Sir Thos. Maitland is a Deputy-Lieutenant for co. Berwick. He married, 7 Feb. 1828, at Rio Janeiro, Amelia, daughter of the late Wm. Young, Esq., and by that lady has issue. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.