b. 1792-02-02
d. 1832
Henry William Bruce was born
2 February 1792 in Great Britain.
1 Bruce dedicated his life to the British Royal Navy and during his time as Commander-in-Chief
of the Pacific Station (
1854-1864) worked closely with Governor
James Douglas. During
September of 1855, Admiral Bruce surveyed the regions of
Victoria and
Esquimalt on the request of Governor
Douglas to decide which of the two locations would be most suitable for military settlements
on the shore.
2 Bruce reported that
Port Esquimalt would be a far better choice than
Victoria.
3 Bruce promoted the building of the military hospital in
Esquimalt that served injured soldiers during the Crimean War in
1856 (today known as Canadian Forces Base
Esquimalt).
4
The following summer in
1856, Bruce assisted in the capture of
Tathlasut, a
Cowichan First Nations.
5 Tathlasut had been accused of maiming and attempting to murder
Thomas Williams, a British citizen.
6 Under the direction of Governor
Douglas, British forces entered the
Cowichan Valley, tracked down
Tathlasut, tried him for his crime and hanged him.
7 Douglas was further concerned about the amassing
Cowichan “Indians,” and requested that Bruce stay in the region until tensions settled in
September of
1856.
8
Admiral Bruce received various military honours throughout his career. He showed an
early interest in warfare, and by
1803 had enlisted in the British Royal Navy.
9 Two years later, Bruce was part of Admiral
Nelson’s fleet during the Battle of Trafalgar.
10 Next, Bruce would take part in the War of
1812.
11 Bruce’s experience and skills were rewarded in
1823 when he was made Captain of the HMS
Britannia.
12 Bruce would also be made Captain of HMS
Imogene in
1836, HMS
Agincourt in
1842 and HMS
Queen in
1847.
13 Bruce was named Commodore of the West Coast of Africa Station in
1851 and Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Station in
1854.
14 He was finally promoted to Commander-in-Chief of Portsmouth in
1860, as well as becoming a Knight of the Order of Bath.
15
In
1822, Bruce married Jane Cochrane, and after her death in
1832, married Louisa Mary Minchin Dalrymple.
16 Bruce continued his service in the Royal Navy until his death on 14 December
1863.
17 He had devoted his life to the British Royal Navy, and had risen high in the ranks.
Bruce’s legacy is also displayed by his role in the development of
Fort Esquimalt.
- 1. Peter Davis, Henry William Bruce, William Loney - Background.
- 2. Douglas to Russell, 13 September 1855, No. 17, 10886, CO 305/6, p. 136.
- 3. Ibid.
- 4. Lisa Nicholson, Admiral Sir Henry William Bruce, CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum.
- 5. Douglas to Labouchere , 6 September 1856, No. 21, 10152, CO 305/7, p. 94.
- 6. Ibid.
- 7. Ibid.
- 8. Douglas to Labouchere , 6 September 1856, No. 21, 10152, CO 305/7, p. 94.
- 9. Peter Davis, Henry William Bruce, William Loney - Background.
- 10. Nicholson, Admiral Sir Henry William Bruce, CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum.
- 11. Ibid.
- 12. Peter Davis, Henry William Bruce, William Loney - Background.
- 13. Ibid.
- 14. Ibid.
- 15. Nicholson, Admiral Sir Henry William Bruce, CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum.
- 16. Peter Davis, Henry William Bruce, William Loney - Background.
- 17. Ibid.