| Sir Thomas Cochrane | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 February 1789 London, United Kingdom |
| Died | 19 October 1872 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Rank | Admiral of the Fleet |
| Commands held | HMS Surprise HMS Forte East Indies and China Station Portsmouth Command |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath |
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thomas John Cochrane GCB (5 February 1789 – 19 October 1872) was an English naval officer and colonial governor.
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Cochrane began his naval career in 1796 at the age of seven and was made lieutenant at the age of 16.[1] His rise quickly in the ranks was considered by many to be blatant patronage because of his father's influence.[1] Cochrane commanded the HMS Surprise and the HMS Forte.[1]
When Newfoundland became an official colony in 1825, Cochrane was appointed the first governor.[1] Cochrane was responsible for the construction of Government House, which is located between Fort William and Fort Townshend.[1] Although Cochrane had opposed the introduction of representative government, a new constitution was granted in 1832 and Cochrane became the first civil governor.[1] Cochrane had many conflicts while governor, especially with the Roman Catholic bishop, Michael Fleming.[1] The colonial office recalled Cochrane in 1834; when he left he and his daughter were pelted with filth on their way down Cochrane Street to the wharf.[1]
He was Member of Parliament (MP) for Ipswich from 1839 to 1841.[2]
In 1842 he became Second in Command of the East Indies and China Station before being appointed Commander-in-chief of that Station in his Flagship, HMS Agincourt in 1844.[3] He took part in anti-piracy operations around North West Borneo, including destroying the forts at Brunei, in 1845 and 1846.[4][5] Finally in 1852 he was made Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.[3] He was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet in 1865.[3]
Cochrane Street in St. John's is so named for Thomas John Cochrane.
In 1812 he married Mathilda Ross: they went on to have two sons and two daughters.[3] Was Married a second time to Lady Rosetta: born 1816 died 1901. He lived at Hanover Lodge, Regent's Park which had previously been owned by General Sir Robert Arbuthnot KCB and was later owned by Admiral David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty.
Thomas John Cochrane died on the Isle of Wight at Quarr Abbey house, Binstead, in October 1872 aged 83; he is buried in the family mausoleum at Kensal Green Cemetery in London.
In 1901 Sir Thomas' second wife, Rosetta, died on the Isle of Wight and her body was transported by hearse, boat and then train to Waterloo. There it was transferred to a horse drawn hearse and transported to Kensal Green Cemetery and interned in the mausoleum alongside her husband. Present at her funeral was his son, Lieutenant Thomas Belhaven Henry, then deputy governor of the Isle of Wight and his two daughters, Minna (lady in waiting to Queen Victoria' youngest daughter Beatrice) and another daughter whose name unknown at this time.
Records of Kensal Green Cemetery
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Charles Hamilton |
Governor of Newfoundland 1825–1834 |
Succeeded by Sir Henry Prescott |
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by Thomas Milner Gibson and Fitzroy Kelly |
Member of Parliament for Ipswich 1839–1841 With: Fitzroy Kelly |
Succeeded by Rigby Wason and George Rennie |
| Preceded by Sir William Parker |
Commander-in-Chief, East Indies and China Station 1844–1846 |
Succeeded by Samuel Inglefield |
| Preceded by Sir Thomas Briggs |
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth 1852–1856 |
Succeeded by Sir George Seymour |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by Sir Francis Austen |
Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom 1863–1865 |
Succeeded by Sir George Seymour |
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