He had two notable daughters, Maria Georgina Grey and Emily Anne Eliza Shirreff, who transformed the education of British women.
[2] From October 1812 until he invalided in July 1814, Shirreff commanded the frigate Barrosa on the coast of North America and in the West Indies.
When patrolling the west coast of South America in protection of the British interests in the region and in support of local independence movement against Spanish authority in the early 19th century when he was advised by Captain William Smith about the discovery of the South Shetland Islands in March 1819.
Later that year Shirreff chartered Smith's brig, the Williams, sending Lieutenant Edward Bransfield on board with the mission to survey and map the new lands.
From January to November 1830 he was the captain of Admiral Thomas Baker's flagship the 76 gun HMS Warspite.