GRIMINGTON, MICHAEL, the younger, HBC seaman; son of Michael Grimington; fl. 1698–1719.

Grimington’s marine experience was gained in James Bay. His first recorded voyage was made there from London in 1698 and was followed by two years’ service as a seaman in the Pery (Capt. Henry Baley) based in the bay. As a seaman he also wintered in James Bay in 1702–3 and 1705–6. His next HBC voyage, in the Pery (Capt. Richard Ward), ended in shipwreck on arrival in Albany River; so Grimington once more wintered in James Bay (1711–12) before returning to London.

Grimington was employed during 1713–18 in the bayside marine service. Although he commanded the Prosperous hoy from 1714, it was David Vaughan who sailed her northwards from Albany to York in 1716 preparatory to her taking part, under Grimington’s command, in the establishing of Churchill in 1717. Any reputation Grimington may have earned as a seaman was ruined by drunkenness. His consequent unreliability led to complaints against him by James Knight and Henry Kelsey and resulted in his recall to England in 1718. Grimington sailed to and from Albany in 1719 as chief mate of the Mary (Capt. James Belcher); after this date his name disappeared from HBC records.

Alice M. Johnson