James Stirling

James Stirling

James Stirling was a British naval officer who was born in 1791. He gained his first command when he was twenty-one. He fought bravely in the wars against Napoleon.

When these wars ended in 1815,  the British Navy was reduced in size. Stirling was one of the many officers who had to go on half-pay while waiting for another command. 


In 1825, after eight years of waiting, he was given command of HMSSuccess. His first assignment was to sail to Sydney to do some exploring.  He arrived there late in 1826.