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Memorial: M5481

Memorial at Christ Church Cathedral, Lisburn, Northern Ireland commemorating Lieutenant William Dobbs, RN d. 1778

Location

Christ Church Cathedral, Lisburn, Northern Ireland

Transcript

This marble is sacred to the memory / Of Lieutenant William Dobbs, / A Naval Officer who terminated his career of virtue / By an illustrious display of valour / On board one of His Majesty’s sloops of war / Where endeavouring to snatch victory from Fortune / In opposition to superior force / He fell a self-devoted victim to his country. / His body rests in that element, / On which Great Britain has long rode triumphant. / By the exertions of men like him. / His afflicted Townsmen. By strewing laurels on this empty monument / Derive honour to themselves They can add nothing to his fame. / He was born at Lisburn on the 22nd day of September, 1746, and died / Of his wounds on board the Drake the 26th April 1778.

Details

Description: A pyramid with a sarcophagus on lion's paw feet in relief. The front of the sarcophagus is carved with a naval action, above it - a figure of Fame with a trumpet holds and oval relief portrait of the lieutenant. The inscription panel is placed beneath the sarcophagus.
Type: Monument
Position: North wall of nave, South side of altar
Materials: Marble
Date Erected: 1780
Artists: Edward Smyth
Vessel: HMS Drake

Event

1775-1783 American Revolutionary War

People

Dobbs, William
Age: 31
Date of Death: 26/4/1778
Cause of Death: War casualty
Rank / Occupation: Lieutenant RN
Organisation: Royal Navy

Extra

Notes: Dublin Evening Post 'The memorial erected by the inhabitants of the town of Lisburn, to the memory of William Dobbs, Esq., was lately opened. It stands on the south side of the altar in the Cathedral Church - in the top is a bas relief of the brave officer - in the middle a representation of this sea engagement in the Lough of Belfast in which he lost his life. The monument was designed by Mr Smyth, a very able artist of this kingdom., the inscription was composed by Councelor Dunn,’

William Dobbs was the son of the rector of Lisburn Cathedral, Rev Richard Dobbs. He was killed in a naval battle against the privateer Ranger, commanded by Captain John Paul Jones (regarded as father of the US navy), in Carrickfergus bay. Dobbs was not a member of the crew of Drake - his own ship was at Portsmouth - he was visiting his family at Castle Dobbs, having recently married. He volunteered his services to fight on the sloop, HMS Drake.

Bibliography: Homan Potterton 'Irish Church Monuments 1570-1880' (The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society p. 80.
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