Sir Geoffrey Thomas Phipps Hornby arrived at
Vancouver Island as the captain of the
HMS Tribune. He was despatched to
San Juan Island for the purpose of supplying aid in the British-American border dispute taking place
in the region.
1 In reaction to the landing of American troops on
San Juan Island, the Royal Navy sent ships to contest their occupation. Several despatches discuss
the incident; in
this one, it is revealed that Hornby was told to sail his vessel to
San Juan and
instruct the officers in command to prevent the landing of further armed parties of
the United States soldiers
. The same despatch notes that the American force was more powerful than anticipated,
and Hornby could not proceed with his orders without risking strong resistance.
2Hornby also assisted in a quarrel between settlers in
Saanich and the Wsáneć regarding the alleged destruction of domestic cattle by the Wsáneć.
According to
Douglas, Hornby’s interference was not needed, though the presence of his large military
vessel
had a most salutary effect
.
3 Members of the Wsáneć were brought to trial, and two were convicted and sentenced
to thirty days imprisonment with hard labour. The rest were let go as no offences
could be proved against them.
4Hornby was born on
20 February 1825, in Winwick, England. He entered the Royal British Navy in
March, 1837, on the Princess Charlotte. After serving in the Syria campaign of
1840, he was appointed to the Winchester in
1842. He was then promoted to lieutenant of the Cleopatra in
1844, then to commander of the flagship Asia in
1850. In
1852, he was promoted to captain of the
Tribune, making him the youngest captain in the navy at age 27. He would go on to command
several other vessels, becoming admiral in
1879, and president of the Royal Naval College in Portsmouth in
1881. His long and active military career continued until his retirement in
1895. On
3 March 1895, Hornby died of influenza.
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