Saumarez, JAMES, BARON DE

Saumarez, JAMES, BARON DE, English naval commander, was born at St Peter-Port, in Guernsey, on 11th March 1757. He entered the navy as midshipman at the age of thirteen, and served in the American war (1774-82), for his gallantry at the attack of Charleston (1775) being promoted to lieutenant. He did good service in the action against a Dutch convoy fleet off the Dogger Bank (August 1781), and was made commander, being soon afterwards placed under the orders of Admiral Kempenfeldt on the Jamaica station. In the great fight between Rodney and De Grasse (12th April 1782) Saumarez commanded the Russell, a line-of-battle ship, and gained much distinction by his coolness and intrepidity. For his gallant capture on 20th October 1793 of the French frigate La Réunion, with one inferior in size and equipment, he received the honour of knighthood; and in command of the Orion he served under Lord Bridport at the battle of L'Orient, June 23, 1795. He also took a prominent part in the battle off Cape St Vincent (February 14, 1797), and was second in command at the battle of the Nile, in which he was severely wounded. In 1801 he was created a baronet and vice-admiral, and in the same year fought his greatest action, off Cadiz (July 12), defeating a French-Spanish fleet of fourteen ships with a squadron of only six, causing to the enemy a loss of 3000 men and three ships. This contest, than which, according to Nelson, 'a greater was never fought,' gained for Saumarez the Order of the Bath, the freedom of the city of London, and the thanks of parliament. In the war that broke out between Sweden and Russia in 1809 he commanded the English Baltic fleet that was sent to the assistance of the Swedes. In 1814 he was promoted to the rank of admiral, to that of vice-admiral of Great Britain in 1821, was created a peer in 1831, and died in Guernsey, 9th October 1836. See Sir John Ross, Memoirs of Admiral Lord de Saumarez (2 vols. 1838).