Bowyer Sir George

Bowyer, Sir George, third son of Sir William Bowyer, Bart., was born about 1738, became a lieutenant in the navy in 1758, and attained the rank of post-captain in 1702. In the Albion, 74, he was present in Byron's action with D'Estaing on July 6th, 1779, at the attack on the French squadron in Fort Royal Bay, and in April, 1780, in Rodney's action with De Guichen, off Martinique. He also took part in the actions of May 15th and 19th following; but his vessel lost very heavily, having 24 killed and 123 wounded on the two last named occasions. He continued to hold various commands, and in 1793 he hoisted his flag as a rear-admiral in the Channel fleet under Lord Howe. His flagship, the Prince, 98, was conspicuously engaged in the action of the glorious First of June, 1794, when the rear-admiral, losing a leg, was incapacitated for further service at sea. As a reward he was created baronet, honoured with the thanks of both Houses, and given a pension of £1,000 a year. A month after the action he became vice-admiral, and in 1799 admiral. He had, in the meantime, on the death of a brother, succeeded to the family baronetcy in 1797. He died in 1800.