Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Hopsonn – otherwise known as ‘Lord Snip’ – was born in Shalfleet and died on 12th October 1717.
He is famous for having risen from very humble origins to the position of Vice Admiral. He is also remembered as a valiant sailor with many naval victories to his name, the most famous of which was the Battle of Vigo Bay in 1702.
Hopsonn was born on the Isle of Wight in 1643. According to local tradition, he was orphaned early in life and apprenticed to a tailor in Bonchurch before running off to sea.
The story of his youth was told in the 19th century book Self Help by Samuel Smiles:
“He was working as a tailor’s apprentice near Bonchurch, in the Isle of Wight, when the news flew through the village that a squadron of men-of-war was sailing off the island. He sprang from the shopboard, and ran down with his comrades to the beach, to gaze upon the glorious sight.
“The boy was suddenly inflamed with the ambition to be a sailor; and springing into a boat, he rowed off to the squadron, gained the admiral’s ship, and was accepted as a volunteer.”
Hopsonn rose rapidly through the ranks. In 1646, he was given the rank of First Lieutenant on the Dragon. Whilst in combat with a Barbary pirate, he seized his opponent’s nimcha (a North African sword), killing him with it. The weapon he took from the pirate’s hand is now in the collection of the National Maritime Museum.
In 1689, Hopsonn was given command of the Bonavenure. While captain of this ship, he took part in 1 of the most famous events in the history of Ireland – the relief of the city of Londonderry.
In 1698, he was elected MP for the rotten borough of Newtown here on the Island – a position he held until 1705.
By 1702, Hopsonn had been promoted to Rear and then Vice Admiral. In that year, he learned of the Spanish treasure fleet lying in Vigo, Spain. It was then that he earned his greatest claim to fame and fortune.
The Spanish Treasure fleet was protected by a boom consisting of ships’ masts chained together, overlooked by forts. Hopsonn – in command of the flagship Torbay – was chosen to lead the attack.
In the early hours of 23rd October 1702, Hopsonn’s ship crashed through the boom under heavy fire. The remainder of the fleet followed Hopsonn into the harbour. The Franco-Spanish fleet were heavily defeated, losing 34 ships and much silver.
On his return to England, Sir Thomas Hopsonn was Knighted by Queen Anne. He then retired from active service and became governor of Greenwich Hospital.
Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Hopsonn (or Hopson) died aged 74 in Weybridge, Surrey.
He is commemorated by the following sea shanty by John Bentley:
Admiral Hopson’s gone to sea
Come from Bonchurch down by the quay
Well he ran away to sea at the age of 10
He sailed away to war on the Jenny Wren
So weigh the anchor, up she comes
Hoist that sail to the sound of the drum
We’ll follow Lord Snip where ‘ere he goes
Serving the Queen and the English rose
Fantastic to read local history.
Thank you.