Royal Naval Biography/Hotham, George Frederick
GEORGE FREDERICK HOTHAM, Esq.
[Captain of 1828.]
Was made a lieutenant into the Minden 74, bearing the flag of Sir Richard King, on the East India station, Dec. 7th, 1819; appointed to the Euryalus 42, Captain (now Sir Augustus J. W.) Clifford, fitting out for the Mediterranean, Oct. 22d, 1821; and promoted to the rank of commander. Mar. 25th, 1822. His next and last appointment was, April 28th, 1827, to the Parthian 10, which vessel he lost on the coast of Egypt, May 16th, 1828. In the ensuing month, he was tried by a court-martial, off Navarin, and sentenced as follows:–
“The Court is of opinion, that the loss of the Parthian is imputable to a southerly current, setting the sloop out of her course, and to the neglect of heaving the lead. But as it appears that the said sloop on all former occasions, and with the exception of heaving the lead, on the present, has been conducted in the most exemplary manner; and that this omission arose from too great confidence in the position of the ship, deduced from the sight obtained of the land in the morning, corresponding with the observations and chronometers; and that preparations were actually made for heaving the lead; together with the very great exertions which appear to have been made by Commander Hotham, his officers, and company, in their endeavours to save the ship and stores; the Court does, in consideration thereof, only adjudge the said Commander Hotham, and Mr. Edward Sawkins, the Master, to be admonished to be more careful in future. No blame attaching to the rest of the officers and ship’s company, they are hereby acquitted.”
Commander Hotham was advanced to the rank of captain on the 7th June, 1828, – nine days previous to his trial for the loss of the Parthian. He returned home in the Glasgow 50, Captain the Hon. J. A. Maude.