John Hamilton Mortimer and the discovery of Captain Cook
John Hamilton Mortimer (1740-1779),
Captain James Cook, Sir Joseph Banks, Lord Sandwich, Dr Daniel Solander and Dr John Hawkesworth, c. 1771, oil on canvas, nla.pic-an7351768
The National Library of Australia holds within its large collection of artworks a most intriguing eighteenth century painting, the bequest of Dame Merlyn Myer. A beautiful work in good condition, the painting is unsigned and lacks its original title. Early research into the painting revealed that it had hung unremarked in private collections for 150 years and then suffered a misattribution to Johann Zoffany which, while initially inflating its value in the art market, had obscured the painting’s true identity and significance. Rejection of the Zoffany attribution also cast doubt on the subjects Joseph Banks and Captain Cook and the date 1771
As the only enlisted person in an OJAG UIC which happens to fall directly under the Secretary of the Navy Office, he competed within the Office of the Secretary of the Navy Secretariat Staff Sailor of the Quarter Program. The program includes HQ staff from SECNAV Office, OJAG, NCIS, IG, Navy Comptroller, Navy CIO, Navy Auditor, Council Review Board, Office of Naval Research, and the Naval Records Office.
Although not a rated Flag Writer, Swager provided direct administrative support to two Flag Officers, the Judge Advocate General of the Navy (JAG), and the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy (0-9 and 0-8). Often dual-hatted as Administrative Officer, he was the linchpin of the JAG’s front office staff, ensuring hundreds of pieces of correspondence, both internal and external, meet Flag review standards.