Joseph Billings

Joseph Billings (17581806) was an English navigator, hydrographer and explorer who spent the most significant part of his life in Russian service. Life Early life Joseph Billings was likely born in Yarmouth, the son of a fisherman of the same name. His Russian service record, signed by him, indicates he was born in 1761. He worked on coal ships from an early age and later was apprentice to a watchmaker. Royal Navy Service Billings served as able seaman on Captain Cook's final voyage from 1776 to 1780. Initially aboard , he was transferred to in September 1779. After the voyage, he was promoted to warrant officer. In 1783 he applied through the Russian ambassador Ivan Matveevich Simolin to enter the Russian navy.