A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Sankey, Jacob Hiram
SANKEY. (Commander, 1844. f-p., 18; h-p., 9.)
Jacob Hiram Sankey, born 23 July, 1807, is only surviving son of the late Matthew Villiers Sankey, Esq., of Coolmore, by Mary Ellington, sister of Major Elrington, Major of the Tower of London. His grandfather, Jacob Sankey, Esq., of Coolmore, married a sister of Admiral Sir Benjamin Caldwell. The Sankey family is of ancient and high standing.
This officer entered the Navy, in Aug. 1820, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Cambrian 48, Capt. Gawen Wm. Hamilton, attached to the force in the Mediterranean, where he continued to serve as Midshipman, until 1827, in the Hind 20, Capt. Lord Henry John Spencer Churchill, Weasel 10, Capt. Johnson, Cambrian again, Capt. Hamilton, and Revenge 76, Capt. Sir Chas. Burrard. He was actively employed during that period in the Archipelago in destroying pirates, with whom he came repeatedly into sharp conflict. In 1827, having passed his examination 20 Aug. 1826, he became Mate of the Victory 104, Capt. Hon. Geo. Elliot, at Portsmouth; in 1828 he returned to the Mediterranean in the Madagascar 46, Capt. Hon. Sir Robt. Cavendish Spencer; and on 10 Dec. 1835, after having been for some months employed on the Home and South American stations in the Vernon 50, Capt. Sir Francis Augustus Collier, and Spartiate 76, Capt. Robt. Tait, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. His succeeding appointments were – 30 April, 1836, to the Minden 74, Capt. Alex. Renton Sharpe, with whom he served on the Lisbon station until the early part of 1837 – 25 May, 1838, to the Herald 26, Capt. Joseph Nias, fitting at Portsmouth – and 7 July following, to the Inconstant 36, Capts. Daniel Pring and Fred. Thos. Michell. He continued in the latter ship on the West India and Mediterranean stations, part of the time as First-Lieutenant, until paid off in March, 1843. He has not been since afloat. His promotion to the rank he now holds took place 27 Aug. 1844.
Commander Sankey married, 8 Feb. 1844, Melita Anne, only daughter of the late Capt. G. W. Hamilton, R.N., C.B., by whom he has issue.