- Charles Saunders (Royal Navy officer)
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For other people named Charles Saunders, see Charles Saunders (disambiguation).
Sir Charles Saunders
Sir Charles SaundersBorn 1715 Died 7 December 1775 Allegiance Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch Royal Navy
Rank Admiral Commands held Mediterranean Fleet Battles/wars Seven Years' War Awards Knight of the Order of the Bath Admiral Sir Charles Saunders, KB (c. 1715 – 7 December 1775) was a Royal Navy officer in the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War and later served as First Lord of the Admiralty. He was appointed to the Privy Council in 1766.
Early career
Saunders joined the Royal Navy in 1727.[1] He later commanded HMS Gloucester and then HMS Yarmouth.[1] He was Member of Parliament for the Devon port (and major Royal Navy base) of Plymouth from 1750 to 1754 and then represented the Yorkshire borough of Hedon from 1754 until his death.[1] In December 1755 he was made comptroller of the navy and in January 1756 and was sent to Gibraltar as Second in Command of the Mediterranean Fleet.[1] In January 1757 he became Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet.[1] He held the post until May 1757.[1]
Seven Years war
Main article: Great Britain in the Seven Years WarHe commanded the fleet which brought James Wolfe to Quebec in 1759[1] and consolidated the dead general's victory after the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.
In April 1760 he resumed his role as Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet and blockaded Cadiz preventing the French and Spanish fleets from sailing.[1]
Cape Saunders, on the Otago coast of New Zealand, was named in his honour by Captain James Cook, who had served under Saunders in Canada.
References
Military offices Preceded by
Savage MostynComptroller of the Navy
1755–1756Succeeded by
George CockburneParliament of Great Britain Preceded by
Vere BeauclerkMember of Parliament for Plymouth
1750 – 1754Succeeded by
The Viscount BarringtonPreceded by
Luke Robinson
John SavileMember of Parliament for Hedon
with Peter Denis 1754–1768
Beilby Thompson 1768–1775
1754 – 1775Succeeded by
Beilby Thompson
Lewis WatsonPolitical offices Preceded by
The Earl of EgmontFirst Lord of the Admiralty
1766Succeeded by
Sir Edward HawkeCategories:- 1713 births
- 1775 deaths
- British MPs 1747–1754
- British MPs 1754–1761
- British MPs 1761–1768
- British MPs 1768–1774
- British MPs 1774–1780
- Knights Companion of the Order of the Bath
- Lords of the Admiralty
- Members of the Privy Council of Great Britain
- Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for English constituencies
- Naval history of Canada
- Royal Navy admirals
- Royal Navy personnel stubs
- Great Britain MP (1707–1800) stubs
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