Codrington, SIR EDWARD

Codrington, SIR EDWARD, a British admiral, was born of a good old Gloucestershire family, 27th April 1770, and entered the navy in 1783. In 1794 he was lieutenant of Lord Howe's flagship, and took a prominent part in the action off Ushant on the glorious 1st of June. At Trafalgar, in 1805, he was captain of the Orion, and leader of a squadron. He afterwards served in the North Sea, in Spanish waters, and in North America, and rose to the rank of vice-admiral in 1821. In 1826 he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean squadron, and in that capacity took the leading part in the battle of Navarino (q.v.), which destroyed the Turkish navy. In reward for this victory he received the Grand Cross of the Bath, with Russian and French orders; but the battle being considered an 'un-toward event,' Codrington was recalled. He attained the full rank of admiral of the red in 1837, and in 1839 was appointed commander-in-chief at Portsmouth. He was M.P. for Devonport from 1832 to 1839. He died April 28, 1851. The 'Narrative' written to prove that at Navarino he had not exceeded his instructions, is printed in the Memoir by his daughter, Lady Bouchier (2 vols. 1873).—His son, GENERAL SIR WILLIAM JOHN CODRINGTON, G.C.B. (1804–84), was commander-in-chief in the Crimea from 11th November 1855.—Another son, ADMIRAL SIR HENRY JOHN CODRINGTON, K.C.B. (1808–77), took part in the destruction of St Jean d'Acre, and served in the Baltic in 1854–55.