13 Facts About Nathaniel Dance

Commodore Sir Nathaniel Dance was a British sea captain who served for over four decades in the East India Company, making numerous voyages to India and back with the fleets of EIC East Indiamen.

Nathaniel Dance was already aware of the risks of the valuable ships he sailed on being preyed on by foreign navies, having been captured by a Franco-Spanish fleet in 1780 during the American War of Independence.

Nathaniel Dance compounded the deception by taking his lightly armed merchants and chasing the French away, despite the considerable disparity of force between the two sides.

Nathaniel Dance was appointed commander of a new ship, Earl Camden, in 1802, and he sailed her in January 1803 to China.

Nathaniel Dance had been taken seriously ill at Bombay during the outward voyage, but had recovered in time to sail with the convoy.

Nathaniel Dance sent some of his ships to investigate, and it was discovered that this was the squadron of French Counter-Admiral Charles-Alexandre Leon Durand Linois, consisting of the 74-gun Marengo, the two heavy frigates Semillante and Belle Poule, the corvette Berceau, and the Dutch brig Aventurier.

Nathaniel Dance used the delay to gather his ships together so the stronger East Indiamen stood between the French and the weaker country ships.

Nathaniel Dance ordered the brig Ganges and the four lead ships to hoist Blue Ensigns, while the rest of the convoy raised Red Ensigns.

Nathaniel Dance promptly hoisted colours, and ordered his largest ships, led by the East Indiamen Royal George, Ganges and his own ship, Earl Camden, to come about and close on the French.

Nathaniel Dance hoisted the signal for a general chase and his merchant fleet pursued the French squadron for two hours, before Nathaniel Dance broke off and returned on his original heading.

Nathaniel Dance himself credited the actions of those under his command as being largely responsible for the victory, writing in reply to the award from the Bombay Insurance Company:.

Nathaniel Dance received a knighthood and went into a comfortable retirement, dying at Enfield on 25 March 1827 at the age of 78.

Laughton however implies that Nathaniel Dance did not command his first ship, the Lord Camden, until 1787, while the Naval Chronicle states 'From the year 1759 to 1787, he passed successively through all the gradations of professional service.