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2/26/05
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Greatest Captain in British Naval History
Feb 26, 2005 9:45 AM
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I think Nelson stands out as the pivotal Captain (Admiral) in British Naval logs. Particularly, because he seemed to almost flaunt regulations to "get the job done". He had terrific charisma, which was paramount in getting his men behind him, and he thought - as we would say today - "Outside the Box"... Hence, Aboukir Bay (Nile Victory), Copenhagen and of course, Trafalgar - all undertaken successfully, by doing what the enemy didn't expect could be done...
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2/26/05
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(2 of 11)
Re: Greatest Captain in British Naval History
Feb 26, 2005 10:04 AM
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My vote for captain (single ship command) goes to Captain Sir Thomas, Lord Cochrane. His audicity and courage exemplified the Royal Navy and served as the model for Horatio Hornblower, Jack Aubrey, and other fictional naval heroes.
It is difficult to pick a single British captain, with Cook's, Drake's, and even Bligh's great accomplishments.
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1
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4/27/05
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(3 of 11)
Re: Greatest Captain in British Naval History
Apr 27, 2005 11:57 AM
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Lord Nelson was the greatest Admiral of all time whereas I belive the greatest maritime englishman was Henery Morgan.
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303
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5/1/05
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(4 of 11)
Re: Greatest Captain in British Naval History
May 20, 2005 11:35 AM
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Another vote for Cochrane
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5/28/05
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(5 of 11)
Re: Greatest Captain in British Naval History
May 28, 2005 10:16 AM
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Greatest admiral-definitely Nelson. He was tactically innovative and commanded fierce loyalty from officers and men alike.
Greatest captain-I would put forth the name Sir Francis Drake for his exploits along the Spanish Main and for the amazing seamanship of the circumnavigation
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4
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6/29/05
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(6 of 11)
Re: Greatest Captain in British Naval History
Jun 29, 2005 8:33 PM
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Nelson Was by far the best. He practically wrote the book on more modern naval warfare. And he was captain of the ship that inspired the whole Dreadnought class battle ship. HMS Victory
Message was edited by Poptart2198 at Jun 29, 2005 8:33 PM
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6
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7/2/05
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(7 of 11)
Re: Greatest Captain in British Naval History
Jul 2, 2005 11:06 AM
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Nelson is by far the greatest naval/seaman in all British History. He invented modern naval warfare, and was very ambitious and able to hold his men together on board the ship. Being able to keep complete control previous to 1900 was considered the action of a giant. He not only held their confidence, but drove them to do things no one else could do, would do or wanted to do. The best commander is characterized by his men, and Nelson made his men do the immortal.
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Posts:
1
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7/5/05
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(8 of 11)
Re: Greatest Captain in British Naval History
Jul 5, 2005 10:13 PM
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my vote is for captain james cook.the reason is that he was responsible single handedly for enhancing the british empire in the far east and discovering countries such as australia and rest of countries of the continent of oceania.nelson no doubt was a charismatic leader but he was actively involved only in naval battles.the world has nothing to thank him for.as for beatty i have no idea who he was.
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Posts:
1
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8/6/05
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(9 of 11)
Re: Greatest Captain in British Naval History
Aug 6, 2005 3:17 PM
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Undoubtedly, it's Nelson...however, perhaps Sir Francis Drake's name should also appear among the choices.
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5,050
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2/15/03
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(10 of 11)
Re: Greatest Captain in British Naval History Agreed Admiral Cochrane
Nov 5, 2005 8:39 PM
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Cochrane, 7th Earl of Dundonald in Fife Scotland- by a mile!.
He is celebrated in Venezuela, and Chile as a liberator and he founded the navy of Chile where, by tradition, one ship must always be called the 'Amirale Cochrane' in his honour.Equally today he has a major soccer tournament in South American named after him 'The Cochrane Cup'.
He is also the model for Master and Commander' hero Jack Aubrey.
He is remembered here, in his home county of Fife, Scotland, in the village of Culross(pronounced 'Cooross' with a magnificent memorial-the Cochrane house in Culross is also preserved.
Nelson never founded another nation's navy like Cochrane did,nor is a modern soccer cup named after Nelson like Cochrane.
And Cochrane was smart enough to avoid being picked off by a French sniper during the many actions in which he participated-unlike Horatio!.
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14
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6/28/09
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(11 of 11)
Re: Greatest Captain in British Naval History
Jun 29, 2009 11:10 PM
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I am in concurence with those who say Admiral Horatio Nelson was the greatest captain in British Naval History, primarily because of his contribution to Napoleon's overall defeat when he won his hard fought victory at Trafalgar.
Following the War of the Second Coalition Napoleon I Emperor of the French was preparing to do what France had not done since the days of William the Conqueror: Invade England. The Emperor had massed nearly 200,000 French troops for the Army of England and they were indeed well trained. Britain had a small army and was generally powerless against the French on land but on the sea she was nealy invincible.
The Spanish had joined the French in the Napoleonic Wars until the Peninsula War (1807-1814) and the Allies were on their way out of the Mediterranean Sea to rendezvous with the Army of England. Nelson realized the jeopardy England would be in if the Franco-Spanish fleet arrived unhindered or at full strength so he set out to intercept.
The battle was not easy for the English as the Franco-Spanish put up a strong fight, many of the Allied vessels were sunk, blown up, or had lost all thier masts and could simply drift and fire. Eventually the battle was out of the Allies' reach and some vessels managed to escape.
During the battle a Nelson stood on deck his flagship the the HMS Victory and despite urges from his subordinates Nelson refused to conceal his Medals. Nelson paid the ultimate price as a French marksmen mortally wounded him form his ship's mainmast. Nelson was carried below to hide the fact he was hit and soon the admiral died.
Before the battle Nelson had said words probably more inspiring than "I have not yet begun to fight" or "Don't give up the ship"
"ENGLAND EXPECTS THAT EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY"
And Nelson did his duty, he saved England from Napoleon's invasion.
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