Parker, SIR HYDE

Parker, SIR HYDE (1739–1807), a British admiral, of a Devonshire family distinguished both before and after him in the naval service of the country, served in the American war and in the West Indies, and in 1801 was appointed to the chief command of the fleet which was sent to the Baltic to act against the armed coalition of the three northern states of Russia, Sweden, and Denmark. He had no share in the battle of Copenhagen, in which Nelson engaged contrary to his orders; but by his appearance before Carlskrona he compelled the neutrality of Sweden; and he was on the point of sailing for Cronstadt when the news of the Emperor Paul's death put an end to hostilities.