Admiral Lord Charles Thomas Montagu-Douglas-Scott

Datec 1862

Object number00018387

NamePainting

MediumOil, canvas

DimensionsOverall: 491 x 440 x 53 mm, 2.1 kg
Sight: 343 x 289 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

England

DescriptionThis portrait by an unknown artist depicts Admiral Lord Charles Thomas Montagu-Douglas-Scott on the deck of a man-of-war probably during his time as a Lieutenant of Britain's Royal Navy. As a Rear Admiral, Lord Scott was Commander-in-Chief of the Australia Station 1889-1892 with HMS ORLANDO as his flagship.HistoryLord Charles Thomas Montagu-Douglas-Scott was born on 20 October 1839 at Montagu House, Whitehall, London to Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry and Lady Charlotte Anne (née Thynne, daughter of the 2nd Marquess of Bath). After receiving an education at St Peter's College, Radley, Lord Scott joined the Royal Navy (RN) as a naval cadet in 1853 at the age of 14. He remained in the service of the RN for his entire working life serving in the Russian War in the Baltic in 1854, the China War 1857 and was mentioned in despatches during the Indian Mutiny of 1857-58. Lord Scott served in 14 RN ships during his 51 years in the navy culminating in his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Australia Station 1889-1892. He was also a Lieutenant aboard the Royal Yacht VICTORIA & ALBERT 1863-65, flag-captain of the Flying Squadron during its world voyage (in which Australia was visited) of 1875-77, Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria in 1887-88 and Commander-in-Chief of Plymouth Naval Base 1899-1902. Lord Scott married Ada Mary Ryan in Victoria, Australia in 1883. They had two sons. Admiral Lord Scott died on 21 August 1911 at the Buccleuch family home of Boughton House, Northamptonshire, England, aged 72. His portrait shows him probably as a Lieutenant; he is seen in full uniform cradling a telescope in his right hand, his left hand resting on a cannon, as he stands on the deck of a man-of-war. The artist is unknown but probably of the English School. This newspaper report from The Argus, 28 November 1890, page 5 details just one of the many (and typical) inspections Lord Scott undertook as part of his Australia Station duties: "His Excellency Lord Charles Scott, the Admiral in charge of the Australian station, in a report to His Excellency the Governor regarding his inspection of the Victorian Naval Forces on the 10th inst., states that the Naval Reserve, who were on the H.M.V.S. Nelson under Captain Fullarton, went through the gun drill in a most creditable style, although the guns were not of modern date. The appearance and dress of the men left little to be desired, and he never had the honour to inspect a body of men of finer physique. The crew of the Cerberus performed the gun drill in the turrets of that vessel, and also the other drills in which they were exercised in a most satisfactory manner. The arrangements for getting the torpedo nets in and out on the Cerberus were particularly clever and well adapted. Speaking of the gunboats Victoria and Albert, Lord Charles Scott states that they were in as efficient a state as the nature of the forces would allow, seeing that it was impossible to keep entire crews on board of them. The few days' training which the Naval Reserve got during the year afloat was hardly sufficient to keep them properly posted up in the details of working modern ordnance, though they performed their exercises at the inspection very well and smartly. He suggested that they should receive more drills afloat, which are at present confined to holi- days, as this would tend to increase their efficiency. After referring in complimentary terms to the manoeuvres of the torpedo boats, the Admiral concludes his report by stating that the naval forces are in a very efficient state, and complimenting the officers and men on the zeal and attention they have evidently bestowed on their work."SignificanceBritain supplied naval ships for the protection of the Australian colonies until the formation of the Royal Australian Navy in 1911. The Australia Station as it was known operated from 1859. This portrait is of Admiral Lord Scott who was Commander-in-Chief of the Australia Station 1889-1892.