Around the world for famous relative

Oct 23 2002 By Elgan Hearn, Holyhead And Anglesey Mail

RELATIVES of one of Holyhead's most famous historical figures made a 12,000 mile pilgrimage fro m Australia to remember their brave ancestor.

Captain John MacGregor Skinner is Holyhead's Horatio Hornblower; he eventually settled in 19th century Holyhead after arriving in Britain fro m America.

One of 13 children, John Skinner was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey in 1760, the son of Courtlandt Skinner, a wealthy royalist landowner who was the last to hold the office of King's Attorney General for the province of New Jersey.

At the start of this conflict, which eventually saw the birth of the United States of America, John was an adolescent midshipman on HMS Phoenix which was captained by Hyde Parker.

Some months after enlisting, John was engaged in a battle to capture Fort Washington where he was wounded in the right arm, which had to be amputated

This further handicapped him, as he had already lost an eye during his childhood.

After a period recovering fro m his injuries, he rejoined the Phoenix until 1782, then he served aboard various other naval vessels until the end of the war.

W ith the Royalist British Forces eventually beaten, John, with the rest of his family,leftthe New World for the Old, settling in Bristol, having lost all their land and wealth.

Holyhead Maritime Museum director Richard Burnell takes up the story: "John Skinner had by now been made a captain and mastered various packet ships sailing between Falmouth, Lisbon and the West Indies, where he regained his fortune.

"In 1799, Courtlandt Skinner, who held the rank of Brigadier General in commanding the royalist New Jersey volunteers army in the War of Independence, died and later that year, John was appointed Senior Captain for the Holyhead Station, holding the post for 33 years."

Captain Skinner commanded the respect of aristocrats, as he was an excellent horseman - despite having lost an eye and arm, he rode with the Anglesey hunt.

Mr Burnell said: "He was greatly loved in Holyhead because of his kindness to the town's poor.

"John became their benefactor and arranged for food and money to be given to them daily.

"Holyhead's poorest would congregate in the square by the town's cross, the food would be brought out by the servants fro m the kitchens below the great house, where the cafe known as Captain's Table is today."

It is also believed that Captain Skinner turned down a knighthood in 1821when ferrying King George IV to Dublin aboard the Lightning.

Richard added: "In August 1821, King George IV especially asked Captain Skinner to ferry him to Dublin .

"During the voyage, the King wanted to give Captain Skinner a knighthood for his services to the crown, but he graciously declined the honour, as he felt this would have distanced him from the people of Holyhead."

Richard also revealed that Captain Skinner met a tragic end at sea.

Richard said: "In 1832, at the age of 72, while crossing the Irish Sea to to Holyhead close to South Stack.

"His vessel Escape was hit broadside by a freak wave, which washed Captain Skinner and his first mate overboard and drowned them."

His body was laid to rest in St Cybi church's bottom cemetery only a few yardsfrom his beloved home.

An obelisk known as Skinner's monument was built on Alltran rock, overlooking the harbour directly across from his home with money raised from all walks of life, who loved and admired Captain Skinner.