Man of war : the fighting life of Admiral James Saumarez : from the American revolution to the defeat of Napoleon

The career of Guernsey-born Admiral James Saumarez reads like an early history of the Royal Navy. His first battle was against the American revolutionaries in 1775, but thereafter his main opponents were the French and the Spanish, and the first fighting ship he commanded, the eight-gun galley Spitfire, was involved in forty-seven engagements before being run aground. Rising through the ranks, Saumarez fought on land and at sea, and was involved in actions in the English Channel, being given command of a squadron of ships based at Guernsey. He served on HMS Victory, took part in the Battle of Cape St Vincent, the Blockade of Cadiz, and was with Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. Promoted to Rear Admiral, he led his ships at the battles of Algeciras and the Gut of Gibraltar. Saumarez was then dispatched into the Baltic, where he helped thwart Napoleons attempt at conquering Russia. So prominent was Saumarez during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, he was featured in the Hornblower novels and other fictional books, including Master and Commander. Tony Sullivan, however, tells the true story of one of the most remarkable individuals of the great days of sail, in the first biography of Saumarez for more than 170 years The career of Guernsey-born Admiral James Saumarez reads like an early history of the Royal Navy. His first battle was against the American revolutionaries in 1775, but thereafter his main opponents were the French and the Spanish. The first fighting ship he commanded, the eight-gun galley Spitfire , was involved in forty-seven engagements before being run aground. Rising through the ranks, Saumarez fought on land and at sea, and was involved in actions in the English Channel while in command of a squadron based at Guernsey. He served on HMS Victory, took part in the Battle of Cape St Vincent, the Blockade of Cadiz, and was with Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. Promoted to Rear Admiral, he led his ships at the battles of Algeciras and Gibraltar. Saumarez was then despatched to the Baltic, where he helped thwart Napoleon's attempt to conquer Russia. So prominent was Saumarez during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, he was featured in the Hornblower novels and other works of fiction, including Master and Commander . In the first biography of Saumarez for more than 170 years, Anthony Sullivan tells the story of one of the most remarkable individuals of the great days of sail. Childhood And Early Career -- Lieutenant Saumarez -- Lieutenant To Post Captain -- Russell And The Battle Of The Saintes -- Half Pay In Guernsey -- Crescent Versus Reunion -- Channel Service And The Escape Of Crescent -- Orion And The Battle Of Ile De Groix -- The Mediterranean Fleet And The Battle Of Cape St Vincent -- Mutiny And Blockade -- Chasing The French -- The Battle Of The Nile -- Admiral Bruix's Cruise And The Blockade Of Brest -- The Battle Of Algeciras -- The Peace Of Amiens -- Commander-in-chief, Channel Islands -- The Baltic -- Commander-in-chief, Baltic Fleet -- Saumarez: British Diplomat Afloat -- The Prince Of Ponte Corvo -- The Carlshamn Cargoes -- Baltic Fleet: Final Season -- Final Command -- Retirement -- Summation. Anthony Sullivan. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 244-247) And Index. During his long and distinguished career Admiral James Saumarez was in the thick of the action at several major battles; the Saintes, Cape St Vincent and the Nile.