Peter Phipps (admiral)

Peter Phipps (dates of birth and death unknown) was a British Royal Navy officer who achieved the rank of admiral. Relatively little is known about his early life or specific commands. He is primarily remembered for his role in the early years of British colonization in the Caribbean, specifically his involvement in the establishment of British control over the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Phipps served as the naval officer tasked with asserting British authority over the salt raking operations in the Turks and Caicos Islands in the late 1760s. These islands were valuable for their salt production, which was crucial for preserving fish. While nominally Spanish territory, American colonists from Bermuda had been harvesting salt there for decades. Following the end of the Seven Years' War, the British sought to formally control the islands.

Admiral Phipps oversaw the expulsion of the American colonists and the imposition of British rule, establishing a more formal administration. This involved implementing regulations and overseeing the salt raking activities. He played a key role in the period of transition when the islands began moving from a largely unregulated, informal resource extraction area to a controlled British colony.

Further research is required to uncover more details about his broader naval career and specific dates of his service. Information on his family and the circumstances surrounding his appointment to this specific Caribbean duty is also lacking.