Robert Fairfax

Robert Fairfax (February 1666 – 17 October 1725) was a rear admiral and politician. Origins and early life Robert Fairfax was born in Newton Kyme, and baptised in the chapel in Steeton, North Yorkshire on 23 February 1666. He was the second son of William Fairfax (1630–1673) and Catherine Stapleton (d. 1695), and grandson of Sir William Fairfax. Ships He first went to sea in 1681, in a merchant ship, the Mary, commanded by Captain Bushell, the son of an old parliamentary officer. With Bushell he made two voyages to the Mediterranean. On his return in December 1685 his friends were desirous that he should enter the Royal Navy, but it was not till January 1687–8 that he was received as a volunteer on board the Mary, the flagship of Sir Roger Strickland. Bonaventure Within a few weeks after the accession of William III and Mary II, Fairfax was promoted to be lieutenant of the Bonaventure, commanded by Captain (afterwards Sir) Thomas Hopsonn. In her he was present at the Battle of Bantry Bay, 1 May 1689, and afterwards at the relief of Derry, 28 July.