Greenvile (Grenvill) Collins

Greenvile (or Grenvill) Collins, naval captain and eminent hydrographer (map maker), was buried in St Margaret's Church Westminster on 28th March 1694 but he has no gravestone or memorial.

As master of the ship Sweepstakes he sailed with Sir John Narborough to the south seas. In 1676 on the Speedwell he attempted to discover a north west passage to China and in 1679 he became a captain. His skill is shown in various maps made during his time in the Mediterranean. In the Merlin yacht he undertook the first complete survey of British waters, supported by Trinity House. In 1683 he was called hydrographer in ordinary to the King. Great Britain's Coasting Pilot was published by Freeman Collins, possibly Greenvile's brother. He married Elinor Hocker at St Luke's church in Chelsea and many children were baptised at St Margaret's Westminster between 1680 and 1692 - Isabella, Barbara, Greenvile, Elizabeth, James, America (a daughter), John and William.

Further reading

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

F.E. Dyer The journal of Grenvill Collins in Mariner's Mirror, 1928