Sharpe , Philip Ruffle , 1831-1892 , Vice-Admiral

Sharpe went to sea in the BLAZER, Captain Owen Stanley (1811-1849), in 1845. He entered the Navy in 1846 and sailed with Stanley in the RATTLESNAKE on her surveying voyage to Australia, 1846 to 1850. Two years later he was again appointed to the RATTLESNAKE, as mate, and sailed in her to the Arctic to relieve the expedition searching for Sir John Franklin. In 1854 he was promoted to lieutenant. From 1857 to 1859 he was in the MAGICIENNE and served during the Second Chinese War. He was promoted to commander in 1863 and in 1867 was appointed to command the WATERWITCH, hydraulic gun boat, during tests on her performance. In 1868 he was appointed to the LAPWING on the west coast of Ireland and then escorted the ships towing the new floating dock to Bermuda, continuing to the West Indies. He was promoted to captain in 1870 and from 1875 to 1878 commanded the Indian troopship CROCODILE. He retired in 1886, became a rear-admiral in 1887 and a vice-admiral in 1892.