Gamaliel Nightingale

Sir Gamaliel Nightingale, 9th Baronet was an English landowner and Royal Navy officer.

Early life and family

Sir Gamaliel was born at Kneesworth Hall, his family seat. He was the son of Sir Edward Nightingale, the 7th baronet, and Eleanora Ethelston. His older brother Edward succeeded to the Nightingale baronetcy on the death of their father in 1750. Sir Gamaliel succeeded his brother in 1782.

Naval career

Nightingale's first command was HMS Badger in 1757.
From 1758, he commanded HMS Vengeance. In 1759, the Vengeance and its 200 men and 28 guns saw action off Quiberon Bay. On 13 March 1761, while still commanding the Vengeance, he captured the 44-gun French privateer Entreprenant by Land's End. He later took command of HMS Flora.
He was a member of the Honourable [East India Company].

Nightingale Island

Sir Gamaliel is also known for exploring a small volcanic island near Tristan da Cunha, which in 1760 he named Nightingale Island. Lying in the South Atlantic Ocean between Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope, it is part of one of the most remote archipelagos in the world.
The island is densely populated by wildlife, particularly birds, and is recognized by Birdlife International as an Important Bird Area. Two of the world's rarest birds are found only on the island: the Nightingale Bunting and Wilkins's Bunting.