| Sir Michael Culme-Seymour | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 March 1836 Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire[1] |
| Died | 11 October 1920 Oundle, Northamptonshire |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1850- 1901 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | 20 June 1861-16 August 1865 Commander HMS Wanderer 1 December 1870 Captain HMS Volage April 1876-July 1877 Captain HMS Monarch 8 July 1877 captain HMS Temeraire 29 July 1879-9 May 1882 Captain HMS Duke of Wellington 4 July 1885-20 September 1887 Cin C Pacific 3 May 1890-10 May 1892 C in C Channel squadron 29 June 1893-10 November 1896 C in C Mediterranean 3 August 1897-3 October 1900 C in C Portsmouth |
Admiral Sir Michael Culme-Seymour, 3rd Baronet (13 March 1836 – 11 October 1920) was a senior Royal Navy officer. On 17 September 1880 he became 3rd Baronet, on the death of his father. The Culme-Seymours were relatives of the Seymour family, his father having added his wife's family name - Culme - to his own following her death.
Born the son of Sir John Hobart Culme-Seymour, 2nd Baronet (1800–1880), Culme-Seymour entered the Navy in 1850.[2] In 1856 he served as mate in HMS Calcutta, flagship of the East Indies squadron, which was involved in the Second Opium War.[2] The fleet was commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour (his uncle), while Calcutta was commanded by William King Hall.[2] On 25 May 1857 he was promoted to Lieutenant, continuing to serve on Calcutta until 6 June 1859, when he was promoted again to commander.[2] From 20 June 1861 to 16 August 1865 he commanded HMS Wanderer in the Mediterranean Fleet.[2] On 16 December 1865 he was promoted to Captain.[2] In December 1870 he commanded HMS Volage in the Channel Squadron.[2] From 1874 to 1876 he was private secretary to First Lord of the Admiralty, George Ward Hunt.[2] In 1876 he returned to the Mediterranean, commanding HMS Monarch.[2] In July 1877 he transferred to HMS Temeraire and took part in the 1878 passage of the Dardanelles commanded by Admiral Sir Geoffrey Phipps Hornby.[2] From 29 July 1879 to 9 May 1882 he was captain of HMS Duke of Wellington,[2] which was the flagship of the officer commanding Portsmouth harbour, Admiral Alfred Phillips Ryder,[2] at the end of which appointment he was promoted to Rear-Admiral.[2] 1885 saw him as second in command of the Baltic squadron under Phipps Hornby during the Panjdeh Incident.[2] From 5 July 1885 to 20 September 1887 he was commander in chief of the Pacific squadron.[2] He was promoted to Vice-Admiral on 19 June 1888[2] and from 1890 he commanded the Channel Fleet for two years.[2]
From 3 May 1893 to 10 November 1896 he was Commander in Chief, Mediterranean Fleet,[2] replacing George Tryon after the accidental sinking of HMS Victoria in a collision. He was promoted to full admiral before taking up the command.
From 3 August 1897 to 3 October 1900 he was Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.[2]
He died at Oundle in Northamptonshire.[2]
He married Mary Georgina Watson 16 October 1866. His son, Michael Culme-Seymour, 4th baronet, also served in the Navy.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir John Baird |
Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Station 1885–1887 |
Succeeded by Sir Algernon Heneage |
| Preceded by Sir John Baird |
Commander-in-Chief, Channel Fleet 1890–1892 |
Succeeded by Sir Henry Fairfax |
| Preceded by Sir George Tryon |
Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet 1893–1896 |
Succeeded by Sir John Hopkins |
| Preceded by Sir Nowell Salmon |
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth 1897–1900 |
Succeeded by Sir Charles Hotham |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by Sir Nowell Salmon |
First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp 1899–1901 |
Succeeded by Sir James Erskine |
| Vacant
Title last held by
Sir Michael Seymour |
Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom 1901–1920 |
Succeeded by Sir Francis Bridgeman |
| Baronetage of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by John Culme-Seymour |
Baronet (of Highmount and Friery Park) 1880–1920 |
Succeeded by Michael Culme-Seymour |