John Baird

Admiral Sir John Kennedy Erskine Baird, (16 September 1832 – 8 December 1908) was an officer in the Royal Navy, who is chiefly remembered for commanding the losing side in the 1888 annual naval manoeuvres.

Early life

Baird was born on 16 September 1832, the son of Sir David Baird, 2nd Baronet (see Baird baronets) and Lady Anne Baird (née Kennedy).

Naval career Baird entered the Navy in December 1845. From 23 December 1859 to August 1863 he commanded the screw gun-vessel Alacrity in the Mediterranean.

Baird was promoted captain on 16 February 1864. From 8 March 1870 he commanded the screw-corvette Juno on the China station until she paid off at Sheerness on 14 June 1873. He commanded the ironclad battleship Swiftsure from 1874 to 1877 on the Mediterranean station.

Baird was Naval aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria from February to December 1878. His replacement was appointed on 4 July 1885.

Baird was promoted to vice-admiral on 18 January 1886. and 12 first class torpedo boats represented the British fleet, and England, Scotland and Wales were considered friendly to the British fleet and hostile to the enemy. Opposing Baird was the 'Achill' fleet of 19 major warships and 12 first class torpedo boats, led by Rear Admiral George Tryon, and based in Berehaven on the south-west coast of Ireland and Lough Swilly on the north coast. All Irish territory was considered hostile to the British fleet and friendly to the enemy. Hostilities broke out at noon on 24 July, and ended at noon on 20 August. At the outset Baird's fleet was concentrated on keeping Tryon's fleet shut up in their base ports. They failed. Both Tryon and his second in command broke the blockade on 4 August, and swooping round the extremities of Ireland, made a descent on British commerce and British ports.

Baird was promoted to admiral on 14 February 1892.

Retirement and death

Baird retired an admiral on 16 September 1897. On 6 March 1905 he married Constance Barbara Clarke, daughter of Edward Clarke, of Avishays, Chard, Somerset. He died at Wootton, on the Isle of Wight on 8 December 1908. He had no children.

Footnotes

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