Samuel Sparshott (1783 – 10 November 1851) was an English officer of the Royal Navy, serving in the Napoleonic Wars. As signal-mate on HMS Caledonia, he was called to testify at the court-martial of James, Lord Gambier. As commander, his last ship was HMS Nimrod, which was driven by a gale onto rocks in Holyhead Bay. Although he and his crew refloated the ship and brought her to dry dock for repair, she was too damaged for naval use, and was sold. His final office was Deputy Inspector-General of the Coast Guard, a position that he held for over twenty years. After he died, it was suggested that he might be called, "Father of the Coast Guard".
Sparshott was descended from Hampshire farmers, and was the seventh of eleven siblings. His brother was Admiral Edward Sparshott, R.N., K.H., K.R.E.
Background
At least three generations of Sparshott's family lived in Hampshire. His paternal grandfather was husbandman John Sparshott, who had a small farm in Soberton. His paternal grandmother was Elizabeth née Hall, and his grandparents married in 1730. His father was Daniel Sparshott, who was later described as a gentleman. His mother was Mary née Sparkman, who signed her name with a cross on her marriage certificate. They were married on 29 November 1771, in Hampshire. They had 11 children, of whom most were born in Portsea, Portsmouth, and Samuel was the seventh. He was born in 1783, in Portsea. and baptised on 10 April 1791, at St Mary's Church, Portsea. His brother was Admiral Edward Sparshott, R.N., K.H. In 1841, Sparshott and his brother Edward were living in Brompton, in Kensington, London, with Elizabeth and Sarah Sparshott, aged 27 and 23 respectively, and two servants.
Sparshott married Elizabeth Cooper, daughter of farmer William Cooper, on 7 July 1842, in St Marylebone Parish Church. They had no children.The 1851 census finds Sparshott aged 68, and his wife Elizabeth aged 37, living at 19 Marlborough Road, St John, St Marylebone, Middlesex. He died on 10 November 1851 at The Lodge, Marlborough Road, St John's Wood, Middlesex. He was buried on the same day at Highgate Cemetery. His will was proved at Canterbury on 5 December 1851. He left most of his assets to his wife Elizabeth, and an annuity to his god-daughter Sarah Sparshott, the daughter of his brother Edward. A memorial tablet carved by Charles Raymond Smith was erected to Samuel Sparshott behind the pulpit of St Ann's Church, HMNB Portsmouth. Its inscription says:
To the memory of Samuel Sparshott, Royal Navy, who departed this life the 10th November 1851, in his 69th year while filling the office of Deputy Comptroller General of the Coastguard which he had held for nearly 25 yrs. This tablet is erected by officers and men of that service to record their high estimation of his character as an officer and gentleman.
The inscription on Sparshott's tomb at St Pancras, Middlesex, is: "Samuel Sparshott, Esq., Commander Royal Navy. For nearly twenty-five years Deputy Comptroller General of the Coast Guard, London, who died 10th November, 1851, aged 68 years".
Career
Able seaman, 1803–1805
On 1 May 1803, at approximately 20 years old, Sparshott joined the Royal Navy as an able seaman, serving in the 98-gun HMS Prince of Wales under Captain John Giffard.
Midshipman and master's mate, 1805–1809
Sparshott continued in the Prince of Wales, and then in the 110-gun HMS Ville de Paris, as midshipman and master's mate. He served under the flags of Admiral Lord Gambier, Admiral Lord Gardner, Admiral Sir James Saumarez, Admiral Edward Thornbrough, and Admiral Sir Robert Calder. In the Ville de Paris he saw "action with the combined fleets of France and Spain off Cape Finisterre 22 July, 1805, and in the [120-gun] Caledonia, as Signal Mate, at the destruction of the French shipping in Basque Roads in April, 1809". On 31 July 1809, Sparshott was a witness at the court-martial of James, Lord Gambier, testifying that a flag-signal from HMS Imperieuse, under Lord Cochrane's captaincy, called for assistance in attacking the French on 12 April 1809, saying, "The Imperieuse then made that half the fleet could destroy the enemy - seven on shore".