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The Longest Serving Sailor
STAR CLIPPERS
The Longest Serving Sailor In the 21st century, we are lucky enough to be
Wallis, who was a clerk of the Royal Navy’s Halifax
able to explore the world via a range of different
Naval Yard. His father – who was adamant his son
methods. The rise of the jumbo-jet and cheap
would pursue a naval career – registered Provo
flights has made travel more accessible than ever
William Parry Wallis as an able seaman on board
before. Whilst there is no doubt that there has been
the 36-gun frigate HMS Oiseau when he was just
a surge in popularity for fast and efficient travel,
four years old. He would later receive a knighthood
traditional methods have enjoyed a renaissance.
from Queen Victoria and provide 96 years of service, making him the longest serving sailor.
Star Clippers’ tall ship cruises offer a unique insight into how international travel was once conducted.
Five years later, in 1796, Provo became a volunteer
By sailing on board the Star Clipper, Star Flyer
on board the 40-gun frigate, Prevoyante, where he
or Royal Clipper, you will be able to simulate the
remained (on paper at least) until 1800, when he
elegance of a bygone era of transportation, which
began servicing on board the 64-gun Asia, aged
peaked between the 18th and 20th centuries.
nine. Provo rose through the ranks steadily and
During this time, the British Royal Navy was
was quick to adjust to a life at sea and was later
involved in many historic conflicts including the
promoted to midshipman on the 32-gun frigate
Napoleonic Wars.
Cleopatra.
In 1791, Provo William Parry Wallis was born to
At the age of just 18, he was commissioned as
parents Elizabeth Wallis and Provo Featherstone
a lieutenant on the Curieux and later provided
service on board four more ships. In January 1812,
Queen Victoria in 1847. In 1851, he became a
aged 20, he was appointed second lieutenant of the
rear-admiral, and successfully a vice admiral,
38-gun frigate Shannon. The Shannon fought with
and eventually admiral of the fleet, aged 86.
the USS Chesapeake off Boston in 1813, a battle during which the captain was badly wounded and
From 1870, the retirement scheme for admirals
the first lieutenant was killed. Provo Wallis thus
allowed those who had commanded a ship during
had to captain the Shannon as she sailed to Nova
the Napoleonic Wars to remain on the active
Scotia with the captured Chesapeake.
list until death. He died aged 100 and therefore accumulated an unbelievable total of 96 years
For this achievement, Wallis was promoted to
in service. Provo was both the last surviving
commander and served for the rest of the war in
commanding officer from the Napoleonic Wars
command of the 12-gun sloop Snipe and was later
and the last veteran of the wars to serve as Admiral
promoted to captain in 1819, aged 27. Continually
of the Fleet.
in service, he became naval ‘aide-de-campe’ to
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