Papers of Sir John Hamilton and Sir Luke Smithett of the Packet Service
See item level records. Related archival material; https://www.rct.uk/collection/2911637/sir-luke-smithett-photographs-english-portraits-volume-70,
Administrative / biographical background
Sir John Hamilton (1765-1858) served at Camperdown (1797) and for his services was appointed in 1803 to captain of the Dover to Ostend naval packet, which he commanded until his retirement in 1841. During his servce he conveyed many important people, including in 1816 Prince Leopold, on the occasion of his marriage to Princess Charlotte, William Turner and Prince Albert on the Ariel, to marry Queen Victoria, in 1840. Sir Luke Smithett (1800-1871) was Hamilton's son-in-law and joined the packet service in 1814, serving initially under Hamilton on the Lord Duncan, as a mail officer, before becoming captain of his own vessel ,the Arrow, from 1821 to 1825. In 1825 Smithett was promoted and moved to the Port Patrick (South West Scotland - Ireland) service. He returned to Dover in 1831. In 1837 the operation of the mail steam vessels was transferred from the control of the Post Office to that of the Admiralty. Smithett continued to serve at Dover and under his control great improvements were made in the speed and comfort of steam packets on the Passage. Hamilton was knighted in 1845. Both Hamiltyon and Smithett were often selected to pilot or accompany the royal family and important visitors. In 1848 Smithett was involved in the attempt to rescue King Louis Philippe I (1773-1850) of France and his family, following his abdication. In 1855 another change in policy led to the substitution of contract packets; the same year Smithett was in charge of the vessel which brought the Emperor and Empress of the French on a State Visit to England, when the French Legion of Honour was conferred upon him. In 1860 the naval connection was formally ended. Smithett was knighted in 1862. He subsequently held occasional employment as a pilot for the Royal Yacht but no record can be found of any further service after 1857.
Administrative / biographical background
Sir John Hamilton (1765-1858) served at Camperdown (1797) and for his services was appointed in 1803 to captain of the Dover to Ostend naval packet, which he commanded until his retirement in 1841. During his servce he conveyed many important people, including in 1816 Prince Leopold, on the occasion of his marriage to Princess Charlotte, William Turner and Prince Albert on the Ariel, to marry Queen Victoria, in 1840. Sir Luke Smithett (1800-1871) was Hamilton's son-in-law and joined the packet service in 1814, serving initially under Hamilton on the Lord Duncan, as a mail officer, before becoming captain of his own vessel ,the Arrow, from 1821 to 1825. In 1825 Smithett was promoted and moved to the Port Patrick (South West Scotland - Ireland) service. He returned to Dover in 1831. In 1837 the operation of the mail steam vessels was transferred from the control of the Post Office to that of the Admiralty. Smithett continued to serve at Dover and under his control great improvements were made in the speed and comfort of steam packets on the Passage. Hamilton was knighted in 1845. Both Hamiltyon and Smithett were often selected to pilot or accompany the royal family and important visitors. In 1848 Smithett was involved in the attempt to rescue King Louis Philippe I (1773-1850) of France and his family, following his abdication. In 1855 another change in policy led to the substitution of contract packets; the same year Smithett was in charge of the vessel which brought the Emperor and Empress of the French on a State Visit to England, when the French Legion of Honour was conferred upon him. In 1860 the naval connection was formally ended. Smithett was knighted in 1862. He subsequently held occasional employment as a pilot for the Royal Yacht but no record can be found of any further service after 1857.
Record Details
| Item reference: | SMI; GB 0064 |
|---|---|
| Catalogue Section: | Personal collections |
| Level: | COLLECTION |
| Extent: | 5 volumes and 1 box (containing 3 folders) |
| Date made: | 1800-1870; 1825-1854 |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |