Hawker , Edward , 1782-1860 , Admiral

Hawker, son of Captain James Hawker (c 1731-1787), went to sea in 1793. He joined the SWIFTSURE, home waters, in 1794, commanded by his brother-in-law, Captain Charles Boyles (q.v.), and was also with him in the West Indies when he was promoted to lieutenant in the RAISONNABLE. Again in the West Indies, 1803, Hawker commanded the prize brig, LA MIGNONNE, and in 1804, having been promoted to captain, was appointed to the THESEUS, flagship of the station. He then commanded the TARTAR, 1805 to 1806, and the MELAMPUS, 1806 to 1811, on the North America and West Indies Stations, engaged against the enemy's privateers. From 1813 to 1815, in the BELLEROPHON and then in the SALISBURY, he was Flag-Captain to Sir Richard Goodwin Keats (q.v.), Commander-in-Chief, Newfoundland. His last appointments were to the BRITANNIA, 1828 to 1829, and ST VINCENT, 1829 to 1830, flagships at Plymouth to the Earl of Northesk (1758-1831). He became rear-admiral in 1837, vice-admiral in 1847 and admiral in 1853.