SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
REAR ADMIRAL WILLIAM HENRY SHIRREFF
BORN THE 19th FEBRUARY 1785
DIED IN COMMAND OF THIS DOCKYARD DECEMBER 1st 1847
BURIED IN THE GARRISON CHAPEL
 
DURING HALF A CENTURY
WHEREVER HIS COUNTRY CLAIMED HIS SERVICES
HE WAS FORWARD TO SERVE HER
DEATH FOUND HIM IN THE MIDST OF HIS LABOURS
IN THE ZEALOUS DISCHARGE OF DUTY HE FELL A SACRIFICE TO OVER-EXERTION
HE WAS FOLLOWED TO THE GRAVE
BY THE WARM AFFECTION OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS
THE GRATITUDE OF MANY
AND THE REGRET OF HIS PROFESSION HE CHOSE IN BOYHOOD
AND LOVED TILL DEATH
'THEN SHALL THE DUST RETURN TO THE EARTH WHENCE IT WAS
AND THE SPIRIT SHALL RETURN TO GOD THAT GAVE IT'
ECCLES XII 7