Lieutenant lighterness

[Kate_genedetective]

Hello!
I have been doing some research on Alexander Lighterness  - Lieutenant in the royal navy - around the early 1800s (TNA gives his date of senority as 1798). I've also googled and found he was at the naval battle of camperdown on the Adament where is listed as Master's Mate. I've searched the TNA and googled, is there anyother researches to research him and his career? I am wandering how he became a Lieutenant, given that I can't see hes from a wealthy family....
(apart from the birth marraiges and deaths info that is!)
Many thanks,
Kate

[ShaunJ]

Did you find these? On the Hector in 1812:

 https://threedecks.org/index.php?display_type=show_ship&id=357

https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/British_Warships_in_the_Age_of_Sail_1793/Ge8kCwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22alexander+lighterness%22&pg=PT97&printsec=frontcover

Superintendent at East India Dock in 1827: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?name=18270531

[ShaunJ]

I am wondering how he became a Lieutenant

He must have been a very good master's mate and received a commission. There is a note here that he was promoted, though it's not clear whether that was to or from master's mate: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_United_Service_Magazine/AP4bAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22alexander+lighterness%22&pg=PA87&printsec=frontcover

[ShaunJ]

His Lieutenant's Passing certificate is in ADM107/21, 450-452 (1797) at the National Archives

"These records consist chiefly of formal certificates, either originals or copies, recording the fact of candidates for Lieutenant's commissions having passed the necessary professional examination at the Navy Board. Certificates of those passing overseas are not included. The certificates give a summary of each candidate's services to date, and the originals are sometimes accompanied by baptismal certificates."

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C1816

https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Royal_Navy_Lieutenants_Passing_Certifica/a8sqAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22lighterness+alexander%22&dq=%22lighterness+alexander%22&printsec=frontcover

[Kate_genedetective]

Thanks, yes I had seen he was on the/ in charge of the Hector which I think was a prison ship at this time in plymouth (which is where 3 of his children were baptised). Quite interesting as we don't live a million miles for plymouth and did not realise there was any connection with place.

I did not know TNA keep records of Lieutenants' passing certificates, sounds as thought theres potentially quite alot of info with that, that would be amazing!
OFF to london I go...

THANKS!!

[hanes teulu]

Doesn't add to what you already know but helps confirm date commissioned -

"Steel's original and correct list of the Royal Navy, hired armed-vessels, gun boats, &c. packets, excise and revenue cutters with their commanders and stations ... Corrected to December 1800."
Author - The Royal Navy, Year 1800
Lieutenants with the year of their first commission -
1798 - Alex. Lighterness

[hanes teulu]

Possibility?
Public Ledger & Daily Advertiser, 18 Jan 1806
"Portsmouth, Jan 15
The Cracker, gun brig; Integrity, Gardner; Hercules, Vandyke; Martha, Selkrigg; Sincerity, Young; Ann, _____; and the Jane, Lighterness have lost anchors and cables."

[hanes teulu]

Mmmm?
Can see a "Captain Lighterness, Jane ..." in 1806. So, rule out above?

[ShaunJ]

If you visit TNA, do check out his 1817 career survey return: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10274949