Edmund Affleck
Encyclopedia
Sir Edmund Affleck, 1st Baronet (ca. 1725 – 19 November 1788) was a naval officer of considerable repute. He entered the navy at an early age, and during reign of George II
, served in the several capacities of lieutenant
, master and commander
, and post captain. In the succeeding reign, after a lapse of long and continued toil, he had conferred on him the higher rank of an established commodore — a rank prized in the service as one not only ensuring its possessor the certainty of active employment afloat, but also as indicating, in the authorities administering the naval affairs of the nation, a public recognition of professional merit. In 1781, Sir Edmund was briefly employed at New York, then being threatened by American rebels under the General, George Washington. Surviving correspondence indicates Sir Edmund and General Washington to have been in contact regarding the treatment of prisoners of war.It was not, however, until the year 1782 had become — as it might be historically stated — a memorable epoch
in the maritime annals of England, and that valour, ability, and boldness in battle, had retrieved for the nation its naval name, that opportunity had been afforded to Affleck to acquire celebrity and establish his professional fame.
About this period, his broad pennant (the commodore's symbol of office) was flying on board , attached to the fleet then employed in the West Indies, under the orders of Sir Samuel Hood
. In the cautious and somewhat speculative encounter
which took place in Basse-terre Roads, between Hood and the celebrated Count de Grasse
, it fell to the lot, or — as he would have said himself — good fortune of Affleck, who each day commanded the rear division of the British line, to sustain the brunt of the enemy's attack. His conduct on this occasion drew from the commander-in-chief, a public expression of praise.
In furthering the fond aspirations of Affleck, time was any thing but tardy. On the 9th and 12 April ensuing, opportunity was again afforded him to increase his laurels. In the well-known conflicts that took place on those different days between Rodney and the Count de Grasse, and particularly in the memorable battle of the 12th
, the commodore, in bringing up the rear of the centre division of the British fleet, manifested the noblest bearing. For the services rendered to his country in this glorious achievement, his sovereign conferred on him the dignity of baronet of Britain; and out of compliment to his gallantry and general conduct, the electors of Colchester
returned him to represent that borough in parliament. In turn, he attained his flag rank (in 1784), but in the capacity of admiral, he was never employed afloat. He died in London on 19 November 1788.
George II of Great Britain
George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
, served in the several capacities of lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
, master and commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
, and post captain. In the succeeding reign, after a lapse of long and continued toil, he had conferred on him the higher rank of an established commodore — a rank prized in the service as one not only ensuring its possessor the certainty of active employment afloat, but also as indicating, in the authorities administering the naval affairs of the nation, a public recognition of professional merit. In 1781, Sir Edmund was briefly employed at New York, then being threatened by American rebels under the General, George Washington. Surviving correspondence indicates Sir Edmund and General Washington to have been in contact regarding the treatment of prisoners of war.It was not, however, until the year 1782 had become — as it might be historically stated — a memorable epoch
1782 in Great Britain
Events from the year 1782 in the Kingdom of Great Britain.-Incumbents:*Monarch - King George III*Prime Minister - Lord North, Tory , Marquess of Rockingham, Whig , Earl of Shelburne, Whig-Events:...
in the maritime annals of England, and that valour, ability, and boldness in battle, had retrieved for the nation its naval name, that opportunity had been afforded to Affleck to acquire celebrity and establish his professional fame.
About this period, his broad pennant (the commodore's symbol of office) was flying on board , attached to the fleet then employed in the West Indies, under the orders of Sir Samuel Hood
Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood
Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood was a British Admiral known particularly for his service in the American War of Independence and French Revolutionary Wars...
. In the cautious and somewhat speculative encounter
Battle of St. Kitts
The Battle of Saint Kitts, also known as the Battle of Frigate Bay, was a naval battle that took place on 25 and 26 January 1782 during the American Revolutionary War between a British fleet under Rear-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood and a larger French fleet under the Comte de Grasse.-Background:When Hood...
which took place in Basse-terre Roads, between Hood and the celebrated Count de Grasse
François Joseph Paul de Grasse
Lieutenant Général des Armées Navales François-Joseph Paul, marquis de Grasse Tilly, comte de Grasse was a French admiral. He is best known for his command of the French fleet at the Battle of the Chesapeake, which led directly to the British surrender at Yorktown...
, it fell to the lot, or — as he would have said himself — good fortune of Affleck, who each day commanded the rear division of the British line, to sustain the brunt of the enemy's attack. His conduct on this occasion drew from the commander-in-chief, a public expression of praise.
- "The enemy," says Sir Samuel, in his official dispatches, "gave the preference to Commodore Affleck, but he kept up so noble a fire, and was so well supported by his seconds, Captain CornwallisWilliam CornwallisAdmiral the Honourable Sir William Cornwallis GCB was a Royal Navy officer who fought in the Napoleonic Wars. He was the brother of Charles Cornwallis, the 1st Marquess Cornwallis, governor-general of India...
and Lord Robert MannersLord Robert Manners (Royal Navy officer)Captain Lord Robert Manners was an officer of the Royal Navy and nobleman, the second son of John Manners, Marquess of Granby and Lady Frances Seymour....
, that the loss and damage sustained in those ships were very trifling, and they very much preserved the other ships in the rear."
In furthering the fond aspirations of Affleck, time was any thing but tardy. On the 9th and 12 April ensuing, opportunity was again afforded him to increase his laurels. In the well-known conflicts that took place on those different days between Rodney and the Count de Grasse, and particularly in the memorable battle of the 12th
Battle of the Saintes
The Battle of the Saintes took place over 4 days, 9 April 1782 – 12 April 1782, during the American War of Independence, and was a victory of a British fleet under Admiral Sir George Rodney over a French fleet under the Comte de Grasse forcing the French and Spanish to abandon a planned...
, the commodore, in bringing up the rear of the centre division of the British fleet, manifested the noblest bearing. For the services rendered to his country in this glorious achievement, his sovereign conferred on him the dignity of baronet of Britain; and out of compliment to his gallantry and general conduct, the electors of Colchester
Colchester (UK Parliament constituency)
Colchester is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-History:...
returned him to represent that borough in parliament. In turn, he attained his flag rank (in 1784), but in the capacity of admiral, he was never employed afloat. He died in London on 19 November 1788.
See also
- Philip Affleck, his brother, the admiral.
- HMS AffleckHMS Affleck (K462)HMS Affleck was a Captain class frigate which served during World War II. The ship was named after Sir Edmund Affleck, commander of HMS Bedford at the Moonlight Battle in 1780 during the American Revolutionary War....
, named after Sir Edmund Affleck.