24 Facts About Edward Riou

Edward Riou FRS was an officer of the Royal Navy who served during the French Revolutionary Wars under several of the most distinguished naval officers of his age and won fame and honour for two incidents in particular.

Edward Riou had the misfortune to run his ship onto an iceberg, which nearly caused his ship to sink outright.

Edward Riou's feat earned him promotions and finally commands, but a period of ill-health forced his temporary retirement from active service.

Edward Riou worked closely with Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson during the approach to the Battle of Copenhagen, earning Nelson's trust and admiration.

When Parker sent the signal to withdraw, Nelson ignored it and Edward Riou felt he had no choice but to obey his commanding officer, despite his despair at what Nelson would think of retreat.

Edward Riou was encouraging his men to the end when he was cut down by a round shot.

Nelson, on learning of Edward Riou's death, called the loss 'irreparable'.

Edward Riou was noted to be a religious man, and an affectionate son and brother.

On Christmas Eve, twelve days after his departure from the Cape, a large iceberg was spotted, and Edward Riou decided to use the ice to replenish his stocks of fresh water that were quickly being depleted by the need to supply the plants and animals he was transporting.

Edward Riou positioned himself near the iceberg, and despatched boats to collect the ice.

Edward Riou posted lookouts in the bows and rigging, and began to edge slowly forward.

Edward Riou ordered the helm to turn hard a starboard, turning into the wind as a wall of ice higher than the ship's masts slid by along the side.

Now clear of the immediate danger of the ice, Edward Riou found himself in a desperate situation.

Edward Riou convinced them to stay, but another attempt to fother the hull with another sail failed when the sail immediately ripped.

Edward Riou ordered the stores, guns and livestock to be thrown overboard in an attempt to lighten the ship, but was injured when his hand was crushed by a falling cask while trying to clear the bread-room.

Edward Riou gave the note to Mr Clements, the master of the Guardian, who was given command of the launch.

Edward Riou ran her aground to prevent her sinking, but a gale struck the coast shortly afterwards, completing the wreck of the Guardian.

Edward Riou arranged for the surviving convicts who had helped to save the ship to be pardoned for their good service.

Edward Riou returned to Britain and was met with popular acclaim for his feat.

Edward Riou was active against French privateers, before being assigned to Sir Hyde Parker's expedition to the Baltic in 1801 to compel the Danes to abandon the League of Armed Neutrality.

Edward Riou had worked closely with Nelson and Captain Thomas Foley in the lead up to the attack, and Nelson duly appointed him commander of the frigates and smaller vessels, with the instruction to deploy his ships to support the main fleet.

The ships suffered heavy casualties; Edward Riou was hit on the head by a splinter.

Edward Riou remained in action for a further half an hour before reluctantly giving the order to withdraw.

Nelson, who had not known him before this expedition, had conceived a great affection for Edward Riou, and wrote 'In poor dear Edward Riou the country has sustained an irreparable loss.