Add MS 76663-76670

Naval Career

Althorp Papers. Vols. mccclxiii-mccclxx. Papers and correspondence relating to Frederick Spencer's naval career; 1811-1833. Partly French, Greek, Russian and Spanish. Key correspondents include Vice Admirals Sir Edward Codrington and H. Neale, G. Mavrocordatos, G. W. Hamilton, and Sir Pulteney Malcolm. Other contents include records of service, notebooks as to the mechanics of navigation, rigging and duties, personal diaries and memoranda, certificates of rank or appointment, sailing orders and papers relating to gunnery and signals. There is also extensive correspondence with the Greek government concerning the Greek War of Independence (1821-1828) and in particular the battle of Navarino in 1827. The battle involved the destruction of the joint Ottoman-Egyptian fleet at Navarino Bay. Although the allied forces, comprised of British, French and Russian fleets, were instructed to 'secure an armistice without engaging in hostilities.' See also Northamptonshire Record Office SOX81; 1825-1828. For further information on the Greek War of Independence, see George Finlay's A History of the Greek Revolution, Zeno, 1971, and also the papers of Sir Richard Church, Add. MSS 36543-36571.

Eight volumes.