Howe, RICHARD HOWE, EARL, admiral, son of Viscount Howe of the Irish peerage, was born in London, 8th March 1726. He left Eton at thirteen, and, entering the navy, served under Anson (q.v.) against the Spaniards in the Pacific. Made post-captain at twenty, he in that same year drove away from the coast of Scotland two French ships conveying troops and ammunition to the young Pretender. After serving off the coast of Africa, Howe took an active part in the naval operations of the British during the Seven Years' War, especially distinguishing himself by the capture of the island of Chaussey, in the attacks upon the isle of Aix, St Malo, and Cherbourg, and in engagements with the French fleet in 1755 and 1759. In 1758 he succeeded to the Irish title of viscount on the death of his brother, George Augustus (1724-58), the brigadier-general, who was killed before Ticonderoga. Appointed a Lord of the Admiralty in 1763, he was promoted two years later to the important office of Treasurer of the Navy. In 1778 he defended the American coast against a superior naval force under D'Estaing, whom he repelled off Rhode Island. He was made a viscount of Great Britain in 1782. Being sent out the same year to relieve Gibraltar, he disembarked troops, ammunition, and supplies, and then offered battle to the combined fleets of France and Spain, but they, declining an engagement, drew off towards Cadiz. Howe was made First Lord of the Admiralty in 1783, and received an English earldom in 1788. When war with France broke out in 1793 he took command of the Channel fleet, and next year gained off Ushant the victory which is known as that of 'the glorious first of June.' The French fleet consisted of twenty-six ships of the line, and the British of twenty-five. In a very short time the latter captured seven of the enemy's vessels and dismasted ten more. Howe's last public service was to bring back to their duty the mutinous seamen at Spithead and Portsmouth in 1797. He died August 5, 1799, leaving the reputation of being a thorough seaman, cautious, cool and intrepid in danger, and considerate of his men. He greatly increased the efficiency of the navy by the introduction of a new system of evolutions and naval tactics. See Lives by G. Mason (1803) and Sir J. Barrow (1838).—Another brother, WILLIAM (1729-1814), held a command under Wolfe at Quebec, succeeded General Gage in 1775 as commander-in-chief of the British forces in America, commanded at Bunker Hill, took New York, defeating Washington at White Plains and at
Brandywine, but was superseded by Sir Henry Clinton in 1778, for having lost the opportunity of destroying the American force at Valley Forge. He subsequently held various honorary commands in Britain, and succeeded to his brother's viscounty in 1799.