Captain John Quilliam RN; MHK (Marown, Isle of Man 29 September 1771 – Kirk Michael, Isle of Man 10 October 1829) was a Royal Navy officer who served as first lieutenant on HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. He was a farmer's son who was impressed into the Royal Navy in 1791. Biography Early life The eldest son of John Quilliam and Christian Clucas of Ballakelly, John Quilliam was born in Marown, Isle of Man, in 1771. It is said he did not care for farming and consequently he was apprenticed to a stonemason. However, he was impressed into the Royal Navy from a collier in Castletown harbour. Career Unlike most impressed sailors, Quilliam rose rapidly in the Royal Navy. By 1797 he had risen to the rank of midshipman and is recorded at the Battle of Camperdown following which he was again promoted, this time to the rank of lieutenant, on the recommendation of Admiral Duncan subsequently serving as third lieutenant on the frigate , under the command of Captain James Young. On 7 October 1799 Ethalion captured the 36-gun Spanish treasure ship Thetis. For his part in the capture, Quilliam received over £5000. Battle of Copenhagen At the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, Quilliam was first lieutenant aboard the frigate . The slight draft of the Amazon meant she was able to get close under the shore batteries; however this in turn led to the Amazon receiving a high volume of damage, the result of which was that all the higher-ranking officers were killed, leaving Quilliam in command. Quilliam's gallantry and calmness under fire following the death of Captain Edward Riou and all the senior officers of the Amazon, quickly came to the attention of Lord Nelson who appointed him first lieutenant on HMS Victory when she was commissioned as Nelson's flagship a period during which he was to become an accomplished officer. Battle of Trafalgar Quilliam was the senior lieutenant on the Victory being responsible for safety, part of this remit seeing him develop an emergency system in order to steer the ship. He assisted in steering Victory into action at Trafalgar, his system coming into effect early in the battle, when having sustained damage to her steering gear Victory required all Quilliam's experience in order for her to continue to remain seaworthy. A contemporary report stated: Post Trafalgar Following Trafalgar Quilliam was promoted to captain