Naval Leaders & Pioneers
Here you will find information about naval leaders and pioneers from throughout military history. Read more about famous commanders such as Horatio Nelson and innovators like Andrew Higgins.
Anglo-Spanish War: Sir Francis Drake
One of England's greatest heroes, Sir Francis Drake ably served Queen Elizabeth I as a privateer and naval officer. In 1577-1580, Drake became only the second man to circumnavigate the globe, sacking Spanish towns and capturing ships along the way. Eight years after his return, Drake aided in leading the English to victory over the Spanish Armada.
One of England's greatest heroes, Sir Francis Drake ably served Queen Elizabeth I as a privateer and naval officer. In 1577-1580, Drake became only the second man to circumnavigate the globe, sacking Spanish towns and capturing ships along the way. Eight years after his return, Drake aided in leading the English to victory over the Spanish Armada.
Privateers & Pirates: Admiral Sir Henry Morgan
Sir Admiral Henry Morgan was an English privateer during the 1600s who led buccaneers in the Caribbean Sea. During his career he sacked several Spanish cities and is best known for his capture of Panama in 1671. Henry Morgan was knighted three years later and became Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica in 1675.
Sir Admiral Henry Morgan was an English privateer during the 1600s who led buccaneers in the Caribbean Sea. During his career he sacked several Spanish cities and is best known for his capture of Panama in 1671. Henry Morgan was knighted three years later and became Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica in 1675.
Anglo-Dutch Wars: Admiral Michiel de Ruyter
Born in 1607, Michiel de Ruyter rose to become one of the Netherlands' greatest admirals. Active during the Anglo-Dutch Wars, de Ruyter is best remembered for his daring raid on the Medway in 1667. Commanding the Dutch fleet at the Battle of Agosta in 1676, de Ruyter was mortally wounded and died a week later.
Born in 1607, Michiel de Ruyter rose to become one of the Netherlands' greatest admirals. Active during the Anglo-Dutch Wars, de Ruyter is best remembered for his daring raid on the Medway in 1667. Commanding the Dutch fleet at the Battle of Agosta in 1676, de Ruyter was mortally wounded and died a week later.
Privateers & Pirates: Bartholomew Roberts
Born in Wales, Bartholomew Roberts became one of the most successful pirates of all time. Sailing the coasts of Africa, Brazil, North American, as well as in the Caribbean he captured over 470 ships in his brief two and half year career. Bartholomew Roberts was killed February 10, 1722, during a battle with HMS Swallow.
Born in Wales, Bartholomew Roberts became one of the most successful pirates of all time. Sailing the coasts of Africa, Brazil, North American, as well as in the Caribbean he captured over 470 ships in his brief two and half year career. Bartholomew Roberts was killed February 10, 1722, during a battle with HMS Swallow.
American Revolution: John Paul Jones
Born in Scotland, John Paul Jones served as a merchant captain before coming to America in 1773. Joining the new Continental Navy, Jones distinguished himself in a number of commands including as captain of USS Ranger. Given command of Bonhomme Richard in 1779, Jones captured the British frigate HMS Serapis. Known for his fighting spirit, he is considered one of the fathers of the US Navy.
Born in Scotland, John Paul Jones served as a merchant captain before coming to America in 1773. Joining the new Continental Navy, Jones distinguished himself in a number of commands including as captain of USS Ranger. Given command of Bonhomme Richard in 1779, Jones captured the British frigate HMS Serapis. Known for his fighting spirit, he is considered one of the fathers of the US Navy.
Napoleonic Wars: Vice Admiral William Bligh
Vice Admiral William Bligh is best known for his role in the famed story of the mutiny on HMS Bounty. A skilled seaman, Bligh rose through the ranks of the Royal Navy and acted as sailing master for Captain James Cook on during the explorer's final voyage. Returning home, William Bligh served with distinction during the Napoleonic Wars and saw action at Copenhagen and Camperdown.
Vice Admiral William Bligh is best known for his role in the famed story of the mutiny on HMS Bounty. A skilled seaman, Bligh rose through the ranks of the Royal Navy and acted as sailing master for Captain James Cook on during the explorer's final voyage. Returning home, William Bligh served with distinction during the Napoleonic Wars and saw action at Copenhagen and Camperdown.
Napoleonic Wars: Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson
Born in 1758, Horatio Nelson rose to become one the world's greatest naval leaders. Horatio Nelson's victories at the Battle of the Nile, the Battle of Copenhagen, and the Battle of Trafalgar played a key role in defeat Revolutionary France and Napoleon.
Born in 1758, Horatio Nelson rose to become one the world's greatest naval leaders. Horatio Nelson's victories at the Battle of the Nile, the Battle of Copenhagen, and the Battle of Trafalgar played a key role in defeat Revolutionary France and Napoleon.
War of 1812: Commodore Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur rose to prominence during the Barbary Wars when he led a daring raid to destroy the captured frigate USS Philadelphia. During the War of 1812, he gained further fame when he captured the British frigate HMS Macedonian. A national hero, Stephen Decatur was killed in duel by Commodore James Barron in 1820.
Stephen Decatur rose to prominence during the Barbary Wars when he led a daring raid to destroy the captured frigate USS Philadelphia. During the War of 1812, he gained further fame when he captured the British frigate HMS Macedonian. A national hero, Stephen Decatur was killed in duel by Commodore James Barron in 1820.
Civil War: Admiral David G. Farragut, Hero of the Union Navy
The adopted son of Commodore David Porter, Admiral David G. Farragut rose through the ranks to command the Union Navy during the Civil War. Winning victories at New Orleans, on the Mississippi, and at Mobile Bay, David G. Farragut became the first US naval officer to attain the ranks of rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral.
The adopted son of Commodore David Porter, Admiral David G. Farragut rose through the ranks to command the Union Navy during the Civil War. Winning victories at New Orleans, on the Mississippi, and at Mobile Bay, David G. Farragut became the first US naval officer to attain the ranks of rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral.
World War II: Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was the genius behind Japan's early naval successes during World War II. After the attack at Pearl Harbor, Yamamoto was finally defeated at the Battle of Midway. On April 18, 1943, Yamamoto was killed when his plane was intercepted by American fighters near Bougainville.
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was the genius behind Japan's early naval successes during World War II. After the attack at Pearl Harbor, Yamamoto was finally defeated at the Battle of Midway. On April 18, 1943, Yamamoto was killed when his plane was intercepted by American fighters near Bougainville.
World War II: Fleet Admiral William "Bull" Halsey
Admiral William "Bull" Halsey played a key role in directing American naval forces in the Pacific during World War II. Graduating from Annapolis in 1904, Halsey moved through the ranks before transferring to aviation. Halsey is best remembered for leading Allied forces to victory in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Admiral William "Bull" Halsey played a key role in directing American naval forces in the Pacific during World War II. Graduating from Annapolis in 1904, Halsey moved through the ranks before transferring to aviation. Halsey is best remembered for leading Allied forces to victory in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Admiral Marc Mitscher, USN
A brief look at the career of Admiral Marc Mitscher, who commanded the US Navy's fast carriers in the Pacific during World War II.
A brief look at the career of Admiral Marc Mitscher, who commanded the US Navy's fast carriers in the Pacific during World War II.
German Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz
A biography of noted German Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz. The Admiral was responsible for the modernization and growth of Imperial Germany's navy in the years prior to World War I.
A biography of noted German Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz. The Admiral was responsible for the modernization and growth of Imperial Germany's navy in the years prior to World War I.
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
An extensive look at the life and career of World War II Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. The Admiral's career was cut short in 1943, when his plane was intercepted by American fighters.
An extensive look at the life and career of World War II Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. The Admiral's career was cut short in 1943, when his plane was intercepted by American fighters.
Yi Sun-sin and the Turtle Boat
An overview of 16th century Korean Admiral Yi Sun-sin and his armored "Turtle" boats.
An overview of 16th century Korean Admiral Yi Sun-sin and his armored "Turtle" boats.