1788 Overview

Admiral Lord Howe s position as the first lord of the Admiralty became untenable following parliamentary disquiet at his superannuation of a large number of officers due for promotion to flag rank in favour of more worthy officers further down the captain s list, and accordingly he tendered his resignation on 16 July.

In May Captain Isaac Coffin was cashiered for keeping false musters, whilst in October November most of the officers from the frigate Phaeton were brought to court-martial after a series of violent disagreements, resulting in the cashiering of Captain George Dawson.