George Countess

Rear-Admiral George Countess (died 1811) was an officer of the British Royal Navy who saw extensive service in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Made captain in 1790, he was in command of HMS "Charon" in 1794 and witnessed the Glorious First of June from her, although she was not engaged as she was a hospital ship. In 1798, Countess was instrumental in hunting down the French squadron under Jean-Baptiste-François Bompart. This squadron was intending to invade Ireland, and it was only perseverence of Countess in HMS "Ethalion" which led the squadron under Sir John Borlase Warren right to the French. [LondonGazette|issue=15087|supp=|startpage=1060|date=6 November 1798|accessdate=2008-02-07] Countess was heavily engaged at the victory of the Battle of Tory Island which followed and was given large financial rewards for this service. [LondonGazette|issue=15214|supp=|startpage=9|date=17 December 1798|accessdate=2008-02-07] In 1799 he captured two French 18-gun privateers cruising off Ireland. [LondonGazette|issue=15119|supp=|startpage=295|date=26 March 1799|accessdate=2008-02-07]

Countess was promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1809, [LondonGazette|issue=16309|supp=|startpage=1686|date=24 October 1809|accessdate=2008-02-07] but died in 1811. Point Countess in Alaska is named for him.

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