Biographia Hibernica/Matthew Aylmer
MATTHEW AYLMER,
For his services to his country, created Lord Aylmer, was the second son of Sir Christopher Aylmer, of Balrath, in the county of Meath. He was, at first, employed in raising soldiers for the service of the states of Holland, against Lewis XIV.; and was afterwards sent to sea by the celebrated Duke of Buckingham. In 1678 he was made lieutenant of the Charles galley; and, passing through various promotions, was made captain of the Swallow, in October 1688. He is said to have been zealously attached to the principles which effected the Revolution; yet, when he commanded the Swallow, he took a ship belonging to the fleet of the Prince of Orange, on board of which were four companies of Colonel Babington's regiment. He is praised, on this account, by Charnock, as having sacrificed his own political principles rather than betray his trust; but, if he had considered that he had, for many years, been receiving the pay of his country, and bore his commission for his country's honour and defence, he need not have scrupled to abandon a prince, whose own children forsook him, and whom it was judged necessary to remove from the throne. If every one had acted like Aylmer, his country's chains had been riveted instead of robes.
The new government, however, promoted him to the command of the Royal Katherine, of 82 guns; in which he had a share in the battle off Beachy Head. In the following year, he commanded a squadron of fourteen ships; when he confirmed the peace with, the Barbary States, and brought home in safety the Smyrna fleet. After this, he had a share, under Admiral Russell, in the most glorious sea-fight in the whole reign, one which totally annihilated all the hopes entertained by the French of making an attack upon England. This was the battle off Cape La Hogue, in which he greatly distinguished himself. He was rewarded, by being promoted to be rear-admiral of the red, and hoisted his flag on board the Sovereign, of 100 guns.
The following year he went out, under Admiral Russell, with the fleet to the Mediterranean, as vice-admiral of the blue; and, as Admiral Russell fell sick at Alicant, the chief command devolved upon him. They had, however, done their business too effectually at Cape La Hogue, to have any hope of the enemy coming out to meet them at sea. He was afterwards employed in blockading the enemy in the channel; and, in the end of 1698, was sent out as commander-in-chief of the squadron in the Mediterranean. In this capacity he visited Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli; at all these places hie was most honourably treated, and was successful in his negotiations. In 1699 he retired from active service; and, in the greater part of Queen Anne's reign, represented in parliament the borough of Dover. In 1701 he was made governor of Deal Castle; on the 12th of November, 1709, on the death of Prince George of Denmark, he was raised to be admiral andcommander-in-chief of the fleet. He held the same rank under George I. and in 1716 he had the honour to bring his majesty back from Holland. In reward of his long and faithful services to his country, he was, in 1718, created Baron Aylmer of the kingdom of Ireland; and, in 1720, rear-admiral of Great Britain—which honours he did not long live to enjoy, as he died the same year.
He was a most valuable officer, and if he had not the honour as commander-in-chief to gain any great victory, it arose from the humiliation of the enemy, who dared not encounter the British fleets, after the complete overthrow he had contributed to give them at Cape La Hogue.