James Stirling (Australian governor)

Admiral Sir James Stirling

Admiral Sir James Stirling (January 28 1791â€"April 23 1865) was the first Governor of Western Australia (1828â€"38) and on his own initiative signed Britain's first limited treaty with Japan in 1854.

Family background

He was the fifth son of eight of the fifteen children of Andrew Stirling, of Drumpellier near Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. His mother, Anne was his father's second cousin, being the daughter of Admiral Sir Walter Stirling and the sister of Sir Walter Stirling, 1st Baronet of Faskine and Admiral Sir Charles Stirling.

The Stirling family was well-known and celebrated in the naval annals of the 18th century. With such a family background, it was natural for James to enter the Royal Navy, and at the age of 12 (in 1803) he joined up as a first-class volunteer, embarking on the storeship Camel for the West Indies. Thus began a distinguished career.

Career

West Indies

Soon after arriving in the West Indies, young Stirling became midshipman of the Hercules, and in 1805 he went to serve in his uncle's flagship Glory.

In that year he saw action off Cape Finisterre during the Napoleonic Wars against the French and Spanish fleets, and later served under the flag of his uncle in the Sampson and the Diadem in the operations on the Río de la Plata. After watching the fall of Montevideo and being incorrectly reported as killed in action, he served for a time on the Home Station and on 12 August 1809, at the age of 19 was promoted Lieutenant in the Warspite. In 1811 he was Flag Lieutenant to his uncle, now Vice Admiral in command at Jamaica.

On 27 February 1812, he received his first command, the sloop "Moselle", and soon afterwards the larger sloop "Brazen" in which he was employed during the War of 1812 in harassing forts and shipping near the Mississippi River.

Surrey

At Woodbridge, Surrey, he became acquainted with the Mangles family, whose wealthy head had extensive interests in the East Indies, had been High Sheriff for Surrey in 1808, was a director of the British East India Company, and in 1832â€"37 represented Guildford in Parliament. His third daughter, Ellen, attracted Stirling's attention and the couple were married at Stoke Church, Guildford on 3 September 1823 on Ellen's 16th birthday. They had five sons and six daughters.

Western Australia

In 1826, the Governor of New South Wales sent Stirling on the Success to visit and report on the west coast of Australia. Stirling was impressed with the land in the vicinity of the Swan River describing it as ideal for establishing a permanent settlement. In particular, he was pleased with the defensive prospects of Mount Eliza (the large hill which Kings Park is on), situated as it is near the narrows of the Swan River, which would make defending the colony from gunships easy, with just a few cannons.

On returning to London in 1828, Stirling lobbied officials to enlist support for a settlement to be established in Western Australia. He finally succeeded and on 9 February 1829 he departed Plymouth in the Parmelia, arriving at what became known as the Swan River Colony on 31 May. Stirling administered the new colony until December 1838. With the creation of the Western Australian Legislative Council in 1830, Stirling automatically became an official member.

As recognition of his service in establishing the colony Stirling was granted land near Beverley, Western Australia. This land, along with neighbouring properties was re-acquired by the Western Australian Government, who later subdivided the land into farmlets for returning soldiers. The remaining land was later used to establish the Avondale Agricultural Research Station.

Mediterranean

In October 1840 he was appointed to command the Indus in the Mediterranean where he remained until June 1844. After another three years ashore he was appointed to the Howe which he commanded from April 1847 to April 1850 when he was knighted by the King of Greece.

Far East

In July 1851, Stirling was promoted Rear Admiral and in the following year served at the Admiralty. From January 1854 to February 1856 Stirling was commander in chief of the naval forces in China and the East Indies.

Using gunboat diplomacy he signed the first British treaty with Japan (the Anglo-Japanese Friendship Treaty) on October 14 1854 "In 1856 he was recalled because he had failed in the primary naval duty of finding and destroying the Russian squadron - partly, perhaps, because of his preoccupation with the self-imposed task of negotiating with Japan" (Beasley, p. 144). Yet his agreements with Japan were ratified, and his conduct was officially commended.

Retirement

Stirling was promoted Vice Admiral in August 1857. He became an Admiral in November 1862 and died in comfortable retirement at Guildford in Surrey on 22 April 1865 aged 74. His wife survived him by nine years and both were buried in the extension to the graveyard of Stoke Church where they had been married.

Stoke Church's social centre and hall is named The Stirling Centre in recognition of him.

References

Great Britain and the Opening of Japan, 1834-1858 by W.G. Beasley (Japan Library paperback, 1995, first published by Luzac & Co., 1951) ISBN 1873410433

See also

* Anglo-Japanese relations

External links

* Celebrate W.A. site - very detailed and the source of much of the above

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