Servicio militar
He entered the Royal Navy and served in H.M.S. Hazard and in H.M.S. Scorpion.
He was appointed as Midshipman RN in 1771.
He joined Captain Cook in his expedition in H.M.S. Resolution in 1771.
He was the first european to sight New Caedonia in 1774.
He later served in H.M.S. Juno.
He was appointed as master of H.M.S. Adventure in 1779 was promoted to Lieutenant RN.
He served in H.M.S. Bienfaisant and H.M.S. Pegase.
He was placed on half-pay in 1786.
In 1787 he commanded the Prince of Wales, which was owned by merchants interested in trading furs from the northwest coast. After wintering in Hawaii he returned to the coast trading as far north as Prince William Sound in Alaska ater trading his furs tin China.
He took command of the snow Argonaut and sailed to HMCS Nootka Sound.
He was arrested and the ship was seized by Martinez at HMCS Nootka Sound and placed under the Spanish flag for a period of time. This was the origin of the "HMCS Nootka Incident" which brought the major powers of Europe close to war.
He was released in 1790.
In 1793 he joined H.M.S. Rattler for survey work sailing to the Pacific Coast of South America.
He was appointed as a Commander RN in 1794.
He was appointed as a Captain RN in 1796.
He commanded H.M.S. Gatton carrying convicts to Australia 1802-03.
Lugares nombrados
Cape Colnett (New Caledonia), Colnett Mountain (BC)
Referencias
- Walbran, Captain John T. (1909)
- Dunmore, John (1991)
