Wall tablet in Westminster Abbey, London commemorating William Dalrymple Midshipman RN d. 1782
Location
Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
Transcript
'To the MEMORY of WILLIAM DALRYMPLE, / Midshipman, Eldest son of Sir John DALRYMPLE Baronet, / one of the Barons of Exchequer in Scotland & of Elizabeth / Hamilton MacGill Representative of the VISCOUNTS of OXFORD / Who, though heir to ample estates, preferred to a life of indolence / and pleasure the toilsome and perilous profession of a seaman, / when his country was in danger. At the age of eighteen he was kill'd off the coast of Virginia in a desperate engagement, in which Captain Salter / in the Santa Margareta took the Amazone, a French ship of superior / force almost in sight of the enemy's fleet; receiving in the public despatches / of his skilful and generous commander the honorable testimony, that / "he was a worthy and deserving youth, / who, had he lived, would have been an ornament to his profession"; and leaving to his once happy Parents, in whose fond eyes he appeared / to promise whatever could be expected from genious, spirit, and the best gift of God, a kind and melting heart, the endearing remembrance of his virtues: / Father of all, grant to the prayers of a Father and Mother, that / their surviving children may imitate the qualities of such a brother; And / that there may never be wanting to the British youth, the spirit to pursue / that line of public honour which he marked out for himself and for them. / Obiit 29th July 1782'
Details
Type: Wall tablet
Position: South choir aisle
Vessel: HMS 'Santa Margareta'
People
Age: 18
Date of Death: 29/7/1782
Cause of Death: War casualty
Rank / Occupation: Midshipman RN
Organisation: Royal Navy