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PARKER, PETER

Parker, Peter

(1721–December 21, 1811)
English Admiral

P

arker is best re-
membered for com-
manding the ill-
fated expedition against
Charleston, South Caro-
lina, in 1776. Intensely
brave and a fine sailor, he
overcame this defeat to
serve as Admiral of the
Fleet and was a patron of
the famous Horatio Nel-
son.
Peter Parker was born
probably in Ireland in
1721, the son of Adm.
Christopher Parker. After
serving several years
aboard ships as a cabin
boy, he followed his father
into the naval profession
by becoming a lieutenant
in 1741. Parker then
served with a succession
of warships in the
Mediterranean and else-
where, rising to captain in 1747. His first com-
mand, the small frigate HMS Margate, re-
turned to the Mediterranean for two years
before sailing home at the conclusion of the
War of the Austrian Succession in 1749. Parker

was subsequently placed

on half-pay and stationed

ashore until 1755, when

he directed construction

of the HMS Woolwichat

Bristol. He then con-

ducted that vessel on sev-

eral successful cruises be-

fore returning to half-pay

status at the end of the

Seven Years’ War in 1763.

Parker spent the next

decade ashore, receiving

a knighthood but scarcely

any employment. In 1773,

he was placed at the helm

of the 50-gun vessel HMS

Bristol and, three years

later, received control of a

small naval squadron with

the rank of commodore.

Parker then departed En-

gland for service in Ameri-

can waters during the

Revolutionary War.

In February 1776, Parker sailed from

Plymouth en route to North Carolina. He

conveyed seven army regiments as reinforce-

ments for Gen. Henry Clinton, with whom

he would rendezvous off the Carolina coast.

Peter Parker

National Maritime Museum