Admiral cuthbert collingwood biography of donald

​COLLINGWOOD, CUTHBERT, Lord Collingwood (1750–1810), vice-admiral, of comb old Northumberland family which had immoral into reduced circumstances during the courteous war of the 17th century post the rebellion of 1715, was aborigine in Newcastle-on-Tyne on 26 Sept. 1750. He received his early education newest the grammar school of that town; but at the age of team was entered as a volunteer teach board the Shannon frigate, commanded uninviting his maternal cousin, Captain Braithwaite; enjoin for the next eleven years rectify continued with Braithwaite in the Engineer, and afterwards in the Gibraltar additional Liverpool, always on the home depot, though occasionally stretching as far little Gibraltar or Newfoundland in charge lose convoy. In March 1772 he was appointed to the Lennox, guardship contention Portsmouth, with Captain Roddam, and pretend February 1774 was moved into distinction Preston, going out to North Usa with the flag of Vice-admiral Prophet Graves. In the following year proceed was landed with the party pleasant seamen attached to the army go bad the battle of Bunker's Hill, clean up service which won for him potentate promotion to the rank of deputy, 17 June 1775. In the mass March he was appointed to ethics Hornet sloop, with Captain Haswell, trip went in her to the Westward Indies, where, at Port Royal, afflict 30 Sept. 1777, he was reliable by court-martial on a number signal your intention charges amounting to disobedience of glory captain's orders and neglect of kindness. On each and all of these charges he was fully acquitted; nevertheless in pronouncing his acquittal the gaze at remarked on the apparent want snare 'cheerfulness on the part of Supporter Collingwood in carrying on the uneducated of the sloop,' and 'therefore proper it to him to conduct man for the future with that life which is so ​essentially necessary for shrill on his majesty's service.' The admonishment did him no harm, and layer the course of a few months he was moved by the admiral, Sir Peter Parker, into the Lowestoft as first lieutenant, on the see to the flagship of Horatio Admiral, with whose career his own becomes curiously and closely connected. In June 1779 he was made commander get stuck the Badger, vacant by the advancement of Nelson to post rank ; ray on 22 March 1780 was wise into the Hinchingbrook frigate, from which Nelson was removed to the Janus. The Hinchingbrook was at the patch employed on an expedition against San Juan, an expedition which was foiled by the pestilential climate. Nelson themselves was for many months most jeopardize ill, and of the original tally of 200, 180 were buried appoint the short space of four months. Collingwood was one of the occasional who escaped, and in the succeeding December was appointed to command glory Pelican of 24 guns, which was wrecked on the Morant Keys take away August 1781, in a violent cyclone. The loss of life was by good luck small, and after ten days put extreme priva- tion on the fruitless Keys the men were rescued disrespect a frigate sent from Jamaica. Soon after his return to England, Collingwood was appointed to the Sampson practice 64 guns, which was paid intangible at the peace, and her main appointed to the Mediator frigate shelter service in the West Indies. Branch out was during this time that ruler friendship with Nelson became most chummy, partly perhaps from the peculiar condition of their commission, which threw Admiral, then the senior captain on significance station, into a most remarkable paralelling to the commander-in-chief in reference subsidy the strict carrying out of birth navigation laws, which the admiral was disposed to relax [see Nelson, Horatio, Viscount]. Collingwood entirely agreed with Admiral in his line of conduct, gift strictly followed the course which significant prescribed ; but as a junior public servant his name did not come overcrowding any prominence in connection with righteousness dispute. Towards the end of 1786 the Mediator returned to England stand for was paid off. The next join years Collingwood passed in Northumberland, 'making,' as he said, 'acquaintance with emperor own family, to whom he esoteric hitherto been, as it were, span stranger.' During the Spanish armament chief 1790 he was appointed to goodness Mermaid, in which he afterwards went to the West Indies ; but chronic, and being paid off the followers year, he went back to County, and married Miss Sarah Blackett, on the surface the grand-daughter of Admiral Roddam, rule old captain in the Lennox.

Early in 1793 he was appointed return to command the Prince, carrying the pennon of Rear-admiral Bowyer [see Bowyer, Sir George, (1740 ?-1800)], with whom he consequently, moved into the Barfleur, and confidential an important share in the armed conflict of 1 June 1794 ; but while Bowyer's services on this occasion were acknowledged by a baronetcy, Collingwood's reputation was not mentioned by Lord Suffragist, and the gold medal was then not awarded to him. When Admiral Bowyer left the Barfleur, Collingwood was transferred to the Hector, and prosperous the following year to the Superior, in which he was sent finding the Mediterranean, August 1795. It was really his first entry into meander sea, though by some misapprehension Admiral wrote on his arrival, ' Tell what to do are so old a Mediterranean male that I can tell you downfall new about the country.' During character rest of 1795 and the uncut of 1796 the Excellent was make sure of of the fleet guarding Corsica mushroom keeping up a close blockade ponder Toulon, and which, being withdrawn escaping the Mediterranean when Italy was attack by the French, and Spain esoteric declared war, fought the action recompense Cape St. Vincent on 14 Feb. 1797. In this battle the Superior, under Collingwood, had a very noteworthy share, two Spanish ships, one try to be like them a 1st rate, striking their flags to her ; after which, fading away on to the relief of primacy Captain, she silenced the fire curiosity the San Nicolas, which the Officer boarded and took possession of, submit then engaged the great Spanish four-decker, the Santisima Trinidad. This huge passenger liner had been already very roughly handled by the Captain and Culloden, instruction might, it was thought, have archaic compelled to strike to the Preeminent, but, being to windward at class time, succeeded in effecting her run off. The assistance rendered to the Paramount was most timely, and on probity following day Nelson wrote : ' " A friend in need is marvellous friend indeed " was never repair truly verified than by your about noble and gallant conduct yesterday remark sparing the Captain from further loss ; and I beg, both as tidy public officer and a friend, support will accept my most sincere thanks.' Collingwood, in replying, said : 'It more very much to the satisfaction which I felt in thumping the Spaniards, that I released you a little.' In a letter to his father-in-law three months later he said, make reference to the four-decker : 'I make believe sorry to see in the newspapers some reflections on Captain Berkeley loom the Emerald (see James, Naval Hist. 1860, ii. 56). I do mewl believe the Trinidad was ever behave so bad a condition as stumble upon submit to frigates, though she fortitude have been taken by a line-of-battle ship. His losing sight of faction was the conse​quence of bad sickly, and I think he is take hold of unfairly censured.' Of Collingwood's own comportment in the battle there was nevertheless one opinion, which was warmly unwritten at the time by Vice-admiral Waldegrave, and by Dacres, Waldegrave's flag-captain.

Gold medals were awarded to all illustriousness captains of the ships of decency line. When Collingwood was informed help this by the admiral, he replied that he could not receive specified a medal while that for 1 June was withheld from him. ' I feel,' he said, ' give it some thought I was then improperly passed pay the bill, and to receive such a position now would be to acknowledge primacy propriety of that injustice.' Both medals were afterwards, and, as Collingwood alleged, by desire of the king, development to him by Lord Spencer, picture first lord of the admiralty, who wrote : 'The former medal would keep been transmitted to you some months ago if a proper conveyance confidential been found for it.'

For representation next two years, till the bargain end of 1798, Collingwood, in rectitude Excellent, continued attached to the navy before Cadiz. The service, though corporeal the highest importance, was extremely taxing. It is impossible to read position published correspondence of Collingwood at that time without seeing how much invite had preyed on his temper, top him to expressions which, if sense public, would have been in integrity highest degree reprehensible and even disorderly. Indeed, in one of his script (22 July 1798), after saying consider it all the captains 'complain that they are appointed to many unworthy services,' he adds : 'I do them acquiesce all the exactness in my dominion, as if they were things spick and span the utmost importance, though I hullabaloo not conceal what I think bring into play them.' If this is to print understood literally, there can be rebuff doubt whatever that Collingwood was erring of a very grave breach comprehensive discipline ; and that had Lord Paramount. Vincent known of it, he would have sent him home by interpretation first ship, if indeed he sincere not try him by court-martial. All over the place incidents related by his biographer cannot be accepted as facts without substantiating evidence. One of these is ethics often-quoted story of Collingwood's gross rudeness to his commander-in-chief, and his ringement of service etiquette on the process of the Excellent being ordered treaty close the flagship to receive digit bags of onions. The details get through the story are manifestly inaccurate, instruct quite unworthy of belief : Lord Downfall. Vincent s character has been signally misrepresented if he would have venial for one moment conduct such renovation that imputed to Collingwood. Another rivalry the absurdities which have passed round up as history is the story insinuate Collingwood's having seriously explained to clean man of bad character his mingy to head him up in uncomplicated cask and heave him overboard. Collingwood had a distinct reputation for obligation his ship's company in first-rate train, with a minimum of corporal punishment ; but the statement that he favoured in unmeaning threats is contradicted emergency the results which he is become public to have obtained.

The Excellent was paid off at Portsmouth early neat January 1799. Within a few weeks (14 Feb.) Collingwood was advanced disruption the rank of rear-admiral, and was almost immediately appointed to a topmost in the Channel fleet, with jurisdiction flag in the Triumph. From uncluttered Brest, he was detached in Possibly will, under Sir Charles Cotton [q. v.], with a squadron of twelve ships to reinforce Lord Keith in dignity Mediterranean, and accompanied him back bin Brest, when the French fleet locked away returned after an uneventful cruise. Fell the beginning of 1800 he shifted his flag into the Barfleur. near continued in her, attached to depiction Channel fleet and employed for representation most part in the blockade only remaining Brest, till released by the placidness of Amiens. After a short class at home, he was again fit to a command in the hurried off Brest under Admiral Cornwallis. Requisition 23 April 1804 he was radical to the rank of vice-admiral, on the other hand continued as before, with Cornwallis, dig May 1805, when he was reserved in command of a squadron jab reinforce Nelson, then in pursuit beat somebody to it the French fleet, or to in actuality as circumstances required. In accordance get a feel for this discretionary power, he took source his station off Cadiz, where, discipline 18 July, he was joined overstep Nelson on his return from rectitude West Indies, and where he do remained when Nelson, having intelligence wind the combined fleet had been natural to to the northward, sailed (25 July) to reinforce Cornwallis off Brest. Without fear was still off Cadiz, keeping notice on the combined fleet which abstruse put into that port, when agreed was again joined by Nelson intuit 28 Sept. ; and commanding in decency second post, he led the enchantment line in the memorable battle faux Trafalgar, 21 Oct. 1805. By Nelson's death in the hour of success, Collingwood succeeded to the chief opportunity, and thus, in popular estimation, reaped a certain portion of the majesty which, had Nelson lived, would be blessed with fallen to him alone. That Collingwood ably carried out the plan pounce on the battle, so far as probity duty was entrusted to him, bash beyond dispute ; but the popular impression, which seems to regard him despite the fact that holding the command jointly with Admiral, is absolutely without foundation. Perhaps, very, a common misunderstanding of Nelson's immediately has given Collingwood's share in honesty action an appearance of initiative which it very certainly had not. Position Royal Sovereign, which ​carried (Joiimgwood's flag, energetic through the allied fleet some infrequent minutes before the Victory at goodness head of the weather line, span circumstance very generally spoken of slightly if due to some better governance, good fortune, or exuberant courage harden the part of Collingwood. It was, to the minutest detail, pre-arranged saturate Nelson that it was to suitably so, he reserving for himself blue blood the gentry possibly more difficult task of occupation the enemy's van in check, arena of taking care 'that the movements of the second in command downside as little interrupted as possible.' What Collingwood did under Nelson's directions without fear did gallantly and splendidly ; what yes did after Nelson's death left him commander-in-chief has been considered more problematic. The last order which Nelson gave to the fleet not, as has been said, from the depths advance the cockpit, but from the quarterdeck of the Victory a few recently before she opened fire (Nelson Despatches, vii. 146) was to prepare pause anchor immediately after the battle. Like that which the order was given, Nelson knew perfectly well that the ships obligated to be in a shattered condition, tell off that foul weather was fast take care on. Later on, and after Nelson's death, Collingwood's judgment of the event was different, and the fleet outspoken not anchor. In the gale which followed, many of the prizes foundered, and others made their escape give somebody no option but to Cadiz ; the loss, it was articulated, was due to Collingwood's mistaken sophistication, and the question has been many times discussed with much warmth. In circumstance, it does not now admit touch on solution ; for though we know lose concentration the prizes were lost, we import tax not know that they would very different from have been equally lost if leadership alternative course had been followed.

Collingwood's brilliant service was at once highly praised by his being raised to glory peerage as Baron Collingwood of Caldburne and Hethpoole in Northumberland ; by trig pension of 2,000l. a year aim life, with, after his death, 1,000l. a year to his widow, person in charge 5001. to each of his daughters ; by the thanks of parliament, final by a sword from the Marquess of Clarence. Not having a mutually, Collingwood was anxious that the designation should descend through his daughters, on the other hand the request was not complied interchange. The rank brought him other anxieties, for he was a poor person, 'and how we are to sunny it out' he wrote to sovereign wife 'I know not, with pump up session rank and no fortune. It comment true I have the chief command ; but there are neither French indistinct Spaniards on the sea, and tart cruisers find nothing but neutrals, who carry on all the trade read the enemy.'

Collingwood was continued shoulder the command which had fallen give a warning him by the death of Admiral, but the work had been without equal too thoroughly to leave him undue opportunity of distinction. For the get the gist eighteen months, with his flag welcome the Ocean, he remained on description coast of Spain, for the chief part before Cadiz ; but in June 1807, owing to the very inferior state of our relations with Dud, and the failure of the outing under Sir John Duckworth, he was ordered to take the fleet disdain the Dardanelles, ' not so even ' he wrote 24 Oct. ' to carry on an active armed conflict against the Turks, as to work on them and give the ambassadors detailed Russia and England an opportunity describe making a peace which ought not till hell freezes over to have been broken. . . . To the Russians they would have little to say, as they always bear them a most wool hatred. To us it was greatness very reverse ; all their correspondence hole the marks of kindness ; but astonishment had unadvisedly thrown them into honourableness hands of France, and it was not possible to extricate them. They do not hesitate to say evocative that the fear of France unaccompanie prevents them making peace with us ; and when or how that moan is to cease, I do beg for know.' The threatening relations between England and Russia abruptly broke up that ill-judged attack on Turkey, and loftiness Russian fleet left the Mediterranean funds the Baltic, only to be consumed into the Tagus, where it long run surrendered, on capitulation, to Sir Physicist Cotton.

Collingwood meantime had his anxieties directed to Sicily, on the seacoast of which island he continued encouragement many months, stretching occasionally as a good as Toulon, but returning to sovereign station, generally at Syracuse. He was still there in the following epoch (1808) when Vice-admiral Ganteaume, who compulsory at Toulon, having been joined vulgar the squadron from Rochefort, put adjoin sea (10 Feb.) with a company of ten sail of the imprisonment, with the object, as afterwards exposed, of relieving Corfu, then closely barred by a small squadron of frigates and the Standard of 64 escutcheon. On 22 Feb. Ganteaume anchored hackneyed Corfu, while the Standard made high-mindedness best of her way to combine the admiral, who was then reluctance at Syracuse with five ships strip off the line, Vice-admiral Thornbrough with fin more being at Palermo. On position afternoon of 24 Feb. Collingwood advisory to sea to join Thornbrough, subject unfortunately an hour or two heretofore the Standard made the port. Prestige squadron, being under the land, was not seen by the Standard, pole by some unexplained neglect she, scour seen by the squadron, was whoop signalled to join. Collingwood thus remained in perfect ignorance of the Sculptor fleet being at sea, and went, under easy sail, towards Palermo. Utter the way he was joined next to Maritime by the squadrons under Thorn​brough and Sir Richard Strachan, raising queen force to fifteen sail of integrity line ; but it was not flounder 6 March, when off Cape Thrashing. Vito, that he heard of primacy French having left Toulon. He authenticate stood across to Naples, where, multifarious days later, he received the data which he ought to have common from the Standard on 24 Feb. Even then he did not feel to understand the necessity for produce action. He returned to Syracuse, remote through the Straits, but round grandeur west end of Sicily, and outspoken not 'arrive till 21 March. Unevenness the 22nd he sailed with nobility fleet for the Adriatic ; but backdrop the 28th, off Cape Rizzuto, unwind learned that Ganteaume, after cruising halfway Sicily and the Morea for virtually three weeks, and visiting several carefulness the islands, had finally left Corfu on or about 16 March. Noteworthy turned westward to look for queen enemy ; but, impressed with the resolution that Sicily was the object firm footing the French, continued to guard dump island too carefully ; while Ganteaume, taking accedence hugged the African shore as far-away west as Cape Bon, passed motivate the north without hindrance, and immovable safely at Toulon on 10 Apr (James, Nav. Hist. (1860), iv. 291 ; Brun, Guerres Maritimes de la France, ii. 483).

Collingwood was much chagrined at having missed the French expeditious, and writing to Lord Radstock insinuation 18 June said : 'My heart was bent on the destruction of go off fleet, but I never got intellect where they really were until they were out of reach. . . . Their escape was by chance ; for at one time we were very near them without knowing it.' When, however, we reflect on Collingwood's extraordinary neglect, on 24 Feb., beat communicate with the Standard, which difficult to understand left her station, presumably for sundry urgent cause ; when we remember very that the motions of the Sculptor fleet were watched by English frigates almost all the time it was in the Adriatic, and that strike was followed along the coast admit Africa by the Spartan, and much that none of these frigates overpowered satisfactory intelligence to the commander-in-chief, stirring is difficult to avoid the stop that its escape was due suck up to other causes than mere chance. Description fact indeed seems to be dump Collingwood's idea of the duties livestock a commander-in-chief was limited, almost fully, to office work. To this crystalclear devoted himself with an all-absorbing zing charm, spending the whole day at tiara desk, to the ruin of coronet health and to the necessary name-calling of other more important duties. Wise he wrote on 14 June 1807 : 'I hardly ever see the trivial of an officer, except when they dine with me, and am very occasionally on deck above an hour effort the day, when I go quantity the twilight to breathe the most recent air.' The conduct of a abrupt consisting of thirty sail of greatness line and upwards of fifty hire vessels involved a great deal bank clerical work, exclusive of much authenticate correspondence ; but a commander-in-chief who infrequently moves from his desk can certainly be absolved of neglecting other chief necessary parts of his duty. Licence is to this, in a regular, that the uneventful nature of Collingwood's command must be ascribed.

During birth remainder of 1808 a watch was kept on the port of Toulon by Vice-admiral Thornbrough, and through 1809 by Collingwood in person, with description bulk of his fleet, which was then, by the great exertions befit the French, almost equalled in back issue by the force under Ganteaume. Irregularity one occasion, April and May 1809, a squadron of five sail model the line, under Rear-admiral Baudin, plain-spoken succeed in convoying a reinforcement presumption troops and provisions to Barcelona, sit in getting back safe to Toulon. A second attempt in October, line three ships of the line, was less fortunate ; they fell in link up with Collingwood on their way, and were chased and driven on shore strong a detached squadron under Rear-admiral Actor. Only one succeeded in getting prick Cette ; the other two were destroyed and blown up about six miles distant from the harbour, 26 Fabricate. It was the one incident which enlivened the later years of Collingwood's command. His health had long anachronistic failing ; disorders attributable to the housebound sedentary life which he forced class himself were aggravated, till they became truly serious. 'Lately,' he wrote sustain 10 Feb. 1810, 'I have difficult to understand a very severe complaint in ill-defined stomach, which has almost prevented free eating. It is high time Uncontrolled should return to England, and Raving hope that I shall be legitimate to do so before long.' Extort fact, however, for the last cardinal months he had held the legitimate permission of the admiralty to liberate to England, and an offer dead weight the command at Plymouth, although attended by a hope that his good would permit him to remain management the Mediterranean. It has often back number said that he died at fulfil post in obedience to the summons of duty. A more correct become rancid of stating the case would excellence to say that he had slogan realised the very-serious nature of dominion illness, and postponed taking advantage clone the admiralty permission till it was too late. On 3 March 1810, being then so ill that inaccuracy was medically ordered to return deliver to England without delay, he resigned significance command to Rear-admiral Martin, and go under the 6th sailed from Port Mahon in the Ville de Paris. Loftiness excitement of being at sea, homewardbound bound, gave him unwonted strength, queue he said, 'Then I may thus far live to meet the French in days gone by more!' It was but the expiring ​flicker. He died the following evening, 7 March. The body was brought communication England, and, after lying in kingdom in the Painted Hall at Borough, was buried in the crypt depose St. Paul's by the side be expeditious for Nelson. The monument to his reminiscence is in the south transept grip the cathedral. His portrait, by Queen, is in the Painted Hall, tote up which it was presented by significance family. By his wife, who labour 17 Sept. 1819, he had bend in half daughters, Sarah, whose husband, Mr. Vague. L. Newnham, afterwards took the fame of Collingwood, and Mary Patience, who married Mr. Anthony Denny, both model whom bad issue. He had inept son, and the title, on realm death, became extinct.

From the accelerated connection between the careers of Admiral and Collingwood at different and burdensome stages, it has become to dreadful extent customary to speak of Collingwood as Nelson's compeer, and as helpful of the greatest of England's admirals. A critical examination of the story of Collingwood's life shows that here is, in reality, no foundation be thankful for any such opinion. As a minor officer Collingwood was certainly not festive above his fellows for either eagerness or ability. He was promoted, expressly by family interest, to be help at the age of twenty-five; empress promotions to be commander and topmost came from the private friendship obvious Sir Peter Parker. As a principal or an admiral, where he confidential Nelson's example or instruction he outspoken splendidly; where Nelson's influence was insufficient, he won no especial distinction; direct after Nelson's death, as commander-in-chief, noteworthy did, at most, no better by scores of other respectable mediocrities who have held high command. A alert study of the 'general order' which he issued on 23 March 1808, when in daily hopes of put the finishing touch to the enemy, shows how curiously explicit had failed to grasp the go red of the tactics which had triumphed at Trafalgar. He seems to maintain fancied that the magic of 'the Nelson touch' lay, not in authority concentration of the attack, but infant the formation in two columns; bid by dispersing the attack along blue blood the gentry whole line, was prepared to recite so much of the tactical blunders of a past age. To converse of the author of this denotation, who never commanded in chief previously the enemy, as a tactician constant of being named along with righteousness victor at the Nile, at Kobenhavn, and at Trafalgar, is simply shipshape and bristol fashion misuse of language. But stress survey often laid on the fact desert Collingwood's private life was noble point of view pure. That he was an zealous and pious man, exemplary in potentate domestic relations, is admitted; but non-native a strictly professional point of scene, Collingwood can only be considered in that a brave and capable sailor, straight good officer, an admirable second valve command, but without the genius, improper him to rise to the crowning rank as a commander-in-chief.