Samuel Hood

Samuel Hood , First Viscount of Hood LT (December 12th 1724 - January 27th 1816) was a British Admiral .

Beginning of career

Wire of Samuel Hood, Vicar of Butleigh in the Somerset, it enters the Royal Navy the May 6th 1741. It is useful like candidate, in company of Rodney on the Ludlow and obtains its gallons of lieutenant in 1746. It is likely initially to be useful under the orders of officers of value in the North Sea. In 1754 it obtains the command of the Sloop '' Jamaica '' on which it is useful in North America. In 1757, whereas it orders by interim the " Antelope " (50), it forces a French boat to be failed in bay of Audierrie and captures two Corsaire S. His zeal meets the approval of the admiralty which offers to him the command of its own ship. In 1759, then captain of the " Vestal " (32), it captures the " Bellona" (32), French ship, after a epic action. During the war it is useful in the Manche and under the orders of Rodney in 1759 it is charged to destroy the French boats of transport of troops intended for the invasion of England. In 1778, it accepts a command which in ordinary times would have put a term at its career in the active one. He becomes police chief of the warehouses of Portsmouth and governor of the naval Academy. These stations was generally offered to the officers whom one withdrew from the service to the sea.

The American Revolution

In 1778, at the time of the visit of the King with Portsmouth, it is made Baronnet. Many admirals refused to be used under the orders as Lord Sandwich and Rodney which serves in the the Western Indies feels sorry for of a lack of supports on behalf of its subordinates whom he accuses of disloyalty in his connection. Admiralty, anxious to preserve these brilliances admirals in his center, raises Hood with the row of Rear-admiral the September 26th 1780 and sends it to the Western Indies as second of Rodney of which it is already well-known. It joined Rodney in January 1781 on its flagship the '' Barfleur '' and remains in the Western Indies and along the North-American coasts until the end of the Guerre of independence of the United States of America.

The hope which it agrees with Rodney is not completely justified. Their correspondence shows that they are not in good terms but Hood makes its duty constantly and it is never question of raising it of its station. The unfortunate turn that the countryside of takes 1781 is largely due so that Rodney does not take account of the opinion of Hood. If it had been authorized to choose its position, it could have prevented Fatty from reaching Fort Royal with the French reinforcements in April.

When Rodney decides to return to England to look after itself there in autumn 1781, Hood receives the order to lead large fleet along the coasts of North America during the season of hurricanes.

When He returned to the West Indies, He was for has time in independent command owing to Rodney' S absence in England. The French Admiral, the Count de Grasse, attacked the British islands off St Kitts and Nevis with has much superior force to the squadron under Hood' S command. The attempt Hood made in January 1782 to save them from captures, with 22 ships to 29, was not successful, goal the series off bold movements by which He first turned the French out off to their anchorage At the Lowland off St Kitts, and then happy off the attacks off the enemy, were the most brilliant things gives by any British admiral during the war. -->

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