HARDY. 93 



24. THOMAS MASTERMAN HARDY. 



THOMAS MASTERMAN HARDY was born April 5, 1769, in Dorset, England. 

 After some early schooling he, in November 1781, went on board the naval brig 

 Helena as "captain's servant" to Captain Francis Roberts. As a child, when the 

 boys of the family were offered ponies by their father, he replied that Joe and 

 Jack might have horses but that he wanted a wooden one, meaning, to go on a 

 ship. From April 1783 to January 1784, he was on shore for an education. The 

 story is told of his mounting the abbey tower with another boy and letting a third 

 down by a rope to get eggs from a bird's nest. He then threatened to cut the 

 rope unless the boy promised to give him 2 out of the 4 eggs. 



Hardy was enrolled in the navy from January 1784 to October 1785, after 

 which he evidently spent some time with his recently widowed mother and some 

 time in the mercantile marine. In February 1790 he joined the Hebe as midship- 

 man, cruised on the Channel, and was made lieutenant in 1793. In 1796 he moved 

 into the Minerve, a large frigate recently captured from the French and upon which 

 Nelson, now commanding, hoisted his pennant. In December 1796 the Minerve was 

 in a battle with certain French frigates, one of which fell a prize, and Hardy was put 

 in charge of it. But a Spanish squadron appeared just then, recaptured the frigate, 

 and made Hardy prisoner; however, he was exchanged six weeks later. He took 

 part in the naval victory off Cape St. Vincent. In May 1797 his ship came upon 

 the beautiful and speedy French brig Mutine and Hardy was put in command of 

 the boats sent to board her, and board her he did in daylight without the loss of 

 a man; he was then promoted to the rank of commander and appointed to the 

 Mutine. He accompanied Nelson to the Nile and in the battle his vessel did such 

 service that he was promoted to be captain of Nelson's flagship. He was with 

 Nelson during the latter's wasted months at and about Naples; was home for a 

 time, and then again captain of Nelson's flagship on his expedition into the Baltic 

 and before the battle of Copenhagen. In 1803 he was made captain of Nelson's 

 ship Victory, and with it helped in the blockade of Toulon; in 1805 he led one 

 squadron in Trafalgar (October 21, 1805), where Nelson was killed. Nelson had 

 Hardy witness his will, and he died almost in Hardy's arms. Hardy was created a 

 baronet in 1806. He now commanded ships in the North Atlantic and made some 

 captures of American ships in the War of 1812. In 1815 he was appointed to a 

 captaincy of the royal yacht Princess Augusta, which he retained for three years. 

 In 1819 he was made commander in chief of the South Atlantic squadron, a posi- 

 tion which, on account of the revolutions occurring in South American countries, 

 required great tact and courage. In 1825 he was appointed rear admiral and was 

 made chairman of a committee on changes in naval construction. He favored 

 more 3-decked ships-of-the-line of 90 to 120 guns. He ended active service at sea on 

 October 21, 1827, at the age of 58 years. For four years, 1830-1834, he was first 

 sea lord of the admiralty; as such he "lived for the future," held opinions 30 years 

 in advance of other admirals of his time, and appreciated the changes that science 

 and steam were effecting. He favored large ships carrying heavy armament, 

 and also he used to say: "Happen what will, England's duty is to take and keep 

 the lead." From 1834 to 1839 Hardy was governor of the Greenwich Hospital. 

 He died September 28, 1839, at the age of 70 years. 



