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Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hamond, Graham Eden

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587191Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 24 — Hamond, Graham Eden1890George Clement Boase

HAMOND, Sir GRAHAM EDEN (1779–1862), admiral, only son of Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, bart., F.R.S. [q. v.], was born in Newman Street, London, on 30 Dec. 1779, and entered the navy as a captain's servant on board the Irresistible of 74 guns on 3 Sept. 1785. This vessel was commanded by his father, and the son's name was borne on the ship's book until March 1790. In January 1793, when a midshipman in the Phaeton, he assisted in the capture of Le Général Dumourier and other ships, and received his portion of a large amount of prize money. On board the Queen Charlotte of 100 guns, the flagship of Earl Howe, he shared in the victory of 1 June 1794. Becoming a lieutenant on 19 Oct. 1796 he served in various ships in the Mediterranean and on the home stations. His first sole command was in the sloop Echo of 18 guns, in which vessel in 1798 he was employed in the blockade of Havre, and on different occasions took charge of convoys. He was made a post-captain on 30 Nov., and in the following year, when in command of the Champion of 24 guns, was at the blockade of Malta, where he occasionally served on shore at the siege of La Valette. In the Blanche of 36 guns he was present at the battle of Copenhagen on 2 April 1801, and on the Sunday following the action held the prayer-book from which Nelson read thanks to God. From 21 Feb. to 12 Nov. 1803 Hamond commanded the Plantagenet of 74 guns, and captured Le Courier de Terre Neuve and L'Atalante. In 1804 he took charge of the Lively of 38 guns, and with that frigate captured, on 5 Oct., three Spanish frigates laden with treasure (London Gazette, 1804, p. 1309), and on 7 Dec. the San Miguel, another treasure ship. He was at the reduction of Flushing in the Victorious of 74 guns in 1809. After this period he was invalided for some years until 1824, when in the Wellesley of 74 guns he conveyed Lord Stuart de Rothesay to Brazil. Being advanced to the rank of rear-admiral on 27 May 1825, he was ordered to England in the Spartiate of 74 guns, charged with the delivery during the voyage of the treaty of separation between Brazil and Portugal to the king of Portugal, who on its reception created him a knight commander of the Tower and Sword, an order, however, which, as it was not obtained for war service, he was not permitted to wear. His last employment was on the South American station, where he was commander-in-chief from 16 Sept. 1834 to 17 May 1838. He attained the rank of vice-admiral 10 Jan. 1837, of admiral 22 Jan. 1847, and of admiral of the fleet 10 Nov. 1862. Long previously to this he had been gazetted C.B. 4 June 1815, and K.C.B. 13 Sept. 1831. On 12 Sept. 1828, on the death of his father, he had succeeded as the second baronet, and on 5 July 1855 he was raised to be a G.C.B. He died at Norton Lodge, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, on 20 Dec. 1862. He married, 30 Dec. 1806, Elizabeth, daughter of John Kimber of Fowey, Cornwall, by whom he had issue two sons, Andrew Snape, who succeeded him as third baronet, was vice-admiral in the navy, and died 21 Feb. 1874, having taken the name of Græme-Hamond, and Graham Eden William, commander R.N., and three daughters. Lady Hamond died on 24 Dec. 1872.

[O'Byrne's Naval Biog. Dict. pp. 455–7; Gent. Mag. February 1863, p. 235; Times, 23 Dec. 1862, p. 10.]