STANLEY, OWEN (1811-50), a brother of the Dean of Westminster, was born in Cheshire, and in 1825 joined the Navy as a midshipman from the Naval College. For some years he was engaged in marine surveying, first under King in the Adventure and afterwards in the Terror on Arctic exploration (1836-37). He served in the brig Britomart in northern Australia and in the fighting in Burma. He was appointed commander in 1840, and arrived in Bay of Islands in July 1840, a few days before the French corvette Aube arrived to protect the French settlers at Akaroa. Governor Hobson requested Stanley to convey a magistrate to Akaroa before the Aube reached that port. The Britomart arrived there on 10 Aug, five days before the French ship. Stanley's execution of this duty and establishment of friendly relations with the French settlers was highly commended by the Admiralty. He was promoted captain in 1844. His death occurred in Sydney on 13 Mar 1850, from a disease which he contracted on a scientific expedition to New Guinea and Torres Strait in command of the Herald.

G.B.O.P., 1841/311, 1842/569; Buick, Waitangi and French at Akaroa; Scholefield, Hobson; Cant. O.N.; New Zealander (Auckland), 13 Mar 1850.

Reference: Volume 2, page 166

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