Boscawen

Boscawen, The Hon. Edward, third son of Hugh Viscount Falmouth, by Charlotte Godfrey, niece of the great Duke of Marlborough, was born on Aug. 19th, 1711. Little is known of his earlier years, save that he went to sea as a midshipman at the age of twelve, became a lieutenant in 1732, and having been promoted to be captain in 1737, was soon afterwards given command of the Leopard, 50. In 1739, upon the outbreak of war with Spain, he commissioned the Shoreham and was sent to the West Indies, but, his ship being out of repair, he obtained permission to leave her and accompany Admiral Vernon as a volunteer in the successful attack upon Porto Bello. Returning in the Shoreham, he participated in the less fortunate attempt upon Carthagena in 1741, and there gained great distinction. While engaged in this service he was transferred to the Prince Frederick, 70, in which he came back to England in 1742. Thenceforward he cruised for about three years in the Channel, taking among many other prizes the French frigate Medea, commanded by M. de Hocquart, who, curious to relate, was twice subsequently captured by the same commander. Having for a season been captain of the Royal Sovereign, he passed in 1746 to the Namur, 74, and, cruising again in the Channel, made many more captures. On May 3rd, 1747, he was present at Anson's action with De Jonquieres, and was severely wounded. In the same year he became a rear-admiral, and was appointed commander-in-chief in the East Indies, as well as general of the land forces there. An attack which he made on Mauritius failed, as did also one on Pondicherry; and the disasters of the expedition culminated with the loss, in a hurricane, of the flagship Namur, the Pembroke, and the Apollo, with the greater part of their crews. The admiral returned to England in 1750. In the following year he was appointed a Lord of the Admiralty, and in 1755 became a vice-admiral and was again given command afloat, this time in North America. In 1758 he reached the rank of full admiral, and, with his flag in a new Namur, 90, took command of the expedition against Louisbourg, for his success in which he received the thanks of the House of Commons. In 1759 he once more hoisted his flag as commander of a squadron destined for the Mediterranean. M. de la Clue, who commanded a French force in Toulon, had the temerity to venture out during Boscawen's temporary absence from off that port, and was on Aug. 18th, 1759, brought to action and signally defeated, after a two days' running fight. As a reward, Boscawen was appointed a general of marines with a salary of £3,000 a year. In 1760 he was again at sea, but was unable to effect anything of importance. On Jan. 10th, 1761, he died at his seat at Hatchlands Park, Surrey. He was buried in the church of St. Michael, Penkevel, Cornwall.