Thomas Hastings

Admiral Sir Thomas Hastings, KCB DL (25 Jan 1786 – 3 January 1870) was a British artist, innovator, instructor, and distinguished officer of the Royal Navy. He was renowned as an expert gunner, and some believe him to be the first officer to take a truly scientific approach to gunnery. Biography Hastings was born on 25 Jan 1786, the third son (and fifth child) of Rev. James Hastings (later Rector of Martley, Worcestershire) and Elizabeth (née Paget). He was brother to Sir Charles Hastings (founder of the British Medical Association). Another brother, Francis Decimus Hastings (1796–1869), also served in the Royal Navy from the age of twelve, reaching the rank of Rear-Admiral in 1859 having been obliged to relinquish active service because of his wounds, hardships and length of service. While a lieutenant in 1812, he painted Storm at Sea. On 29 April 1812, Hastings participated in an attack led by Captain Thomas Ussher on French privateers of Málaga, in which he performed admirably, commanding twenty men in the attack. In 1814, as a first lieutenant of the , he escorted Napoleon into his exile on Elba, and was one of three officers responsible for the arrangements for the arrival of Napoleon. From 14 November 1828 until 22 July 1830, he commanded in the Mediterranean with the rank of commander. He was then promoted captain.