A dmiral whitshed is one of the numerous sons of the clergy who have risen to eminence in the naval profession. He is a native of Ireland; and his entrance into the service appears to have been rather a fortuitous event, than the result of premeditated choice. His father held a living, on which he resided, near Carlingford Bay, in the County of Louth. In the year 1773, the Ranger sloop of war accidentally arrived in the bay; and, in consequence of many hospitable attentions which Captain Jones, her commander, received from the Rev. Mr. Whitshed, he placed his son's name upon the books of that ship.

Young Whitshed continued at school till the following year, when he joined the Kent, of 74 guns, Captain Fielding; and, as she was a Sound ship, he profited by the opportunity of continuing his studies, under different masters at Plymouth, until the Kent, with all the guard-ships, was ordered to sea to join those from Portsmouth under the command of Admiral Douglas, for the purpose of exercising them for some weeks by cruising. A fatal accident at this time occurred, which must have struck a momentary terror into the breast of the young sailor.