Wishart, James
Dates | 1688-1723 | ||
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Location | London; Bedale | ||
Vocation | Sailor | ||
Place of Birth | Linlithgow | ||
Marriage | Cordelia | ||
Issue | |||
Place of birth | Source | Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |
Served in Dutch navy, but returned to British Isles with William of Orange's invasion (1688). Given command of the "Pearl" (1689), and successively commanded the "Mary Galley", "Oxford", "Swiftsure", "Salisbury", "Queen", "Dorsetshire" and "Eagle" and "Royal Katherine", as well as a number of guardships. Promoted rear-admiral after initially being overlooked, and knighted (1704). Out of favour (1705-1710), although appointed admiral of the blue, but joined Admiralty Commission (1710) and made special commissioner to the Netherlands (1711). Master of the Royal Scottish Corporation (1706-1707). MP for Portsmouth (1711-1715). Promoted admiral of the white (1713). Commanded Mediterranean fleet (1714-1715). Forced into retirement after accession of George I due to suspicions of Jacobitism (1715).