December 14, 1775 - The future Admiral Thomas Cochrane (right) is born at Annsfield, Scotland. Rising through the ranks, Cochrane was promoted to commander and given command of the brig HMS Speedy (14 guns) in 1800. Commencing a daring campaign in the Mediterranean he captured or destroyed 53 enemy ships, including the Spanish xebec frigate El Gamo (32), before being captured in mid-1801. A daring commander, he was promoted to captain and returned to the French coast in HMS Pallas (32) and later HMS Imperieuse (38). A master of coastal warfare, Cochrane earned the nickname "The Sea Wolf" from the French. Though a bold leader, he was outspoken in his criticism of the service and often fought with his superiors. Elected to Parliament in 1806, he made enemies at all levels of government. Following his participation in the 1809 Battle of the Basque Roads, he attacked his superior, Lord Gambier, for failing to complete the victory. This attack led to Cochrane failing to receive another command. In 1814, he was convicted as part of the Great Stock Exchange Fraud following a politically-motivated trial. Dismissed from the Royal Navy, he later accepted command of the Chilean Navy during their struggle for independence from Spain. A highly effective commander in South America, he also led the Brazilian Navy. Pardoned in 1832, he returned to active duty in 1847 after his knighthood was restored. Dying in 1860, Cochrane's career inspired several fictional characters including C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower and Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey.
Photograph Source: Public Domain
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