1. Admiral of the Blue Edward Boscawen, PC was a British admiral in the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament for the borough of Truro, Cornwall, England.
34 Facts About Edward Boscawen
1. 2.
Edward Boscawen is known principally for his various naval commands during the 18th century and the engagements that he won, including the siege of Louisburg in 1758 and Battle of Lagos in 1759.
3.
Edward Boscawen is remembered as the officer who signed the warrant authorising the execution of Admiral John Byng in 1757, for failing to engage the enemy at the Battle of Minorca.
4.
Edward Boscawen served as one of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty on the Board of Admiralty from 1751 and as a member of the Privy Council from 1758 until his death.
5.
Edward Boscawen stayed with Superb for three years during the Anglo-Spanish War.
6.
Edward Boscawen's promotion was confirmed by the Board of Admiralty.
7.
Edward Boscawen was ordered to accompany Admiral Edward Vernon to the West Indies in preparation for the oncoming war with Spain.
8.
In 1741 Edward Boscawen was part of the fleet sent to attack another Caribbean port, Cartagena de Indias.
9.
In 1744 the French attempted an invasion of England and Edward Boscawen was with the fleet under Admiral Norris when the French fleet were sighted.
10.
Whilst cruising the Channel, Edward Boscawen had the good fortune to capture the French frigate Medee.
11.
Edward Boscawen was the first capture of an enemy ship made during the War of Austrian Succession and was commanded by M de Hocquart.
12.
Medee was sold and became a successful privateer under her new name Edward Boscawen commanded by George Walker.
13.
Edward Boscawen commanded her until 1745 when he was appointed to another of his old ships, HMS Namur, that had been reduced from 90 guns to 74 guns.
14.
Edward Boscawen was appointed to command a small squadron under Vice-Admiral Martin in the Channel.
15.
In 1747 Edward Boscawen was ordered to join Admiral Anson and took an active part in the first Battle of Cape Finisterre.
16.
Edward Boscawen was injured in the shoulder during the battle by a musket ball.
17.
Edward Boscawen had been ordered to capture and destroy the main French settlement in India at Pondichery.
18.
Fortunately, for the Admiral and his staff, when a storm hit the British outpost Edward Boscawen was ashore but his flagship Namur went down with over 600 men aboard.
19.
In 1751 Anson became First Lord of the Admiralty and asked Edward Boscawen to serve on the Admiralty Board.
20.
Edward Boscawen remained one of the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty until his death.
21.
For M de Hocquart it was the third time that Boscawen had fought him and taken his ship.
22.
Edward Boscawen returned to the Channel Fleet and was commander-in-chief Portsmouth during the trial of Admiral John Byng.
23.
Edward Boscawen signed the order of execution after the King had refused to grant the unfortunate admiral a pardon.
24.
On his return from North America Edward Boscawen was awarded the Thanks of both Houses of Parliament for his service.
25.
Edward Boscawen's aim was to prevent another planned invasion of Britain by the French.
26.
Edward Boscawen took his available ships to sea to engage de la Clue.
27.
Whilst transferring between ships, the small boat that Edward Boscawen was in was hit by an enemy cannonball.
28.
The five French ships that avoided the battle made their way to Cadiz where Edward Boscawen ordered Admiral Thomas Broderick to blockade the port.
29.
Edward Boscawen returned to England, where he was promoted General of Marines in recognition of his service.
30.
Edward Boscawen was given the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh.
31.
Admiral Edward Boscawen returned to sea for the final time and took his station off the west coast of France around Quiberon Bay.
32.
Edward Boscawen's body was taken to St Michael's Church in St Michael Penkevil, Cornwall, where he was buried.
33.
The stone frigate was a training base for naval cadets and in consequence three ships were renamed HMS Edward Boscawen whilst being used as the home base for the training establishment.
34.
In 1742 Edward Boscawen married Frances Evelyn Glanville, with whom he had three sons and two daughters, and who became an important hostess of Bluestocking meetings after his death.