sketcher and naval officer, was born in London on 16 August 1809, son of Rev. Dr William Kuper, chaplain to Queen Adelaide. He entered the Royal Navy on 19 April 1823 and served on board the Isis , the flagship of Sir George Eyre, commodore in South American waters, which was posted to various South American, British and Mediterranean stations. On 19 June 1837 Kuper married Emma Margaret, eldest daughter of Commodore Sir James John Gordon Bremer. Just over a month later, he sailed with Bremer as senior lieutenant in the Alligator to assist in establishing the Port Essington garrison in northern Australia.
On 27 July 1839 Kuper was nominated acting commander of the Pelorus and was captain when the ship was wrecked at anchor in a hurricane at Port Essington. He made an ink and watercolour View of H.M. Brig Pelorus after the Hurricane at Port Essington Nov. 1839 (Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory, acq. 1989) and an ink drawing of the same subject from a different angle inscribed 'View of H.M. Brig Pelorus after the Hurricane at Port Essington Nov 25 1839 During which driven on shore and buried 9 feet in the mud for 86 days’.
Kuper subsequently served as acting captain of the Alligator (1840-41) and commander of the Calliope (1841-43), was mentioned for distinguished service at the capture of Chusan in July 1840 and was twice officially thanked by the commander-in-chief for his conduct in action during the Chinese Wars. He was awarded a CB on 21 January 1842.
- Writers:
- Staff Writer
- Date written:
- 1992
- Last updated:
- 2011
