Local History

Admiral the Right Honourable James Lord de Saumarez, or James Saumarez as he was known, was born in St Peter Port on 11 March 1757 and was first entered into the books of a naval vessel in 1767 aged only ten, though he did not actually go to sea until he was 12.

BBC Guernsey's Simon De La Rue spoke to another retired Admiral, Lieutenant Governor Sir Fabian Malbon, to find out about Saumarez's life.

A daring escape from a superior French fleet

Throughout his career James Saumarez was involved in many notable moments of naval history. These started early in his life as he was involved with the War of American Independence and was even offered a commission in the army, which he turned down and continued serving in the navy, at that time onboard the HMS Bristol.

Following this he was given command of a schooner-rigged galley, the Spitfire, at the rank of lieutenant.

Saumarez served for a time as 3rd, and later 1st, Lieutenant aboard the HMS Victory and was involved in the Battle of Dogger Bank against the Dutch.

He also held the position of Commander-In-Chief of the Baltic Fleet and it was during these Baltic conflicts that Saumarez became somewhat of a hero to the Swedish people.

While Saumarez's career is not as well known as that of his contemporary Horatio Nelson it is arguably just as important to the British Navy and is surely as important to the Channel Islands.

In the fourth part of Simon De La Rue's interview with Sir Fabian Malbon we find out how Saumarez built a reputation as a 'Lucky Captain' and came home a very rich man indeed.

Saumarez as seen on the Delancey Monument

Following his death in 1836 the Admiral was buried in the Saumarez family vault in the Castel Churchyard.

His memory is still recognised by the Royal Navy, Sweden and in Guernsey where the base of a 99 foot tall monument remains in Delancey Park, following the monuments demolition by occupying forces during the Second World War, and the large brass plaques from the monument still hang on the walls of Castle Cornet.