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Line 1: − '''Sir Clowdisley Shovell''' (or Shovel), 1659-1707 was a British admiral. In a spectacularly eventful life he climbed from his role as a 6 year old cabin boy under a relative, Captain Myngs, in the Second Dutch War (1665-7) to attain the elevated rank of Admiral of the Mediterranean Fleet during the War of Spanish Succession (1702-13). + − − He probably served at the Battle of Solebay during the Third Dutch War (1672-4), and by 1676 he was in the Mediterranean where commanded the fleet of ships’ boats during the operation to burn the corsair fleet in [[Tripoli]] Harbour. A year later he was promoted to post-captain. He was still only eighteen years old. − − Until 1686 he was continuously in action against the Barbary Pirates. But was in England during the [[Glorious Revolution]] of 1688, when he transferred his allegiance to William and Mary. He commanded a ship in the Battle of Bantry Bay (1692) and was subsequently knighted, and given command of the English squadron in the [[Irish Sea]] during William’ invasion of [[Ireland]]. − − By the end of the century he was Admiral of the Blue, in charge of the Channel fleet. The War of Spanish Succession found him in the [[Mediterranean]], where he distinguished himself in the capture of [[Gibraltar]] (still a British naval base) and Barcelona, and other engagements against the French. Shovel helped capture Gibraltar (1704), and assisted at the capture of [[Barcelona]] (1705)<ref> http://www.questia.com/library/encyclopedia/shovell_sir_clowdisley.jsp</ref> − − In 1707 his fleet sailed for [[England]] but encountered an unexpected current and several ships were wrecked on the [[Scilly Isles]]. Sir Clowdisley himself was washed ashore half drowned, where a local woman strangled him for the large ring he was wearing. (She was to admit this on her deathbed many years later, and the ring returned to his family). − − The tragedy ended a life that still had much to offer. − − Reference: “The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea” − ==References== − <references/> − [[Category: British History]] − {{DEFAULTSORT:Shovell, Clowdisley}}
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