Duncan Adam Viscount

Duncan, Adam, Viscount, British naval officer, younger son of Alexander Duncan, of Lundie, was born at Dundee in 1731, and entered the royal navy at the age of 12. He took part in the expeditions against Rochefort and Goree, and, having been posted in 1761, was Keppel's flag captain at the reduction of Belleisle and at the operations against Havana. He shared in Rodney's relief of Gibraltar, and, in command of the Monarch, distinguished himself in the action with De Langara in 1780. He also shared in Howe's relief of Gibraltar. In 1787 he became a rear-admiral, and in 1793 a vice-admiral. In 1797, after having most bravely quelled a mutiny on board his flagship, the Venerable, in Yarmouth Roads, he put to sea with two ships, the only ones of a mutinous fleet that would accompany him, and, in spite of his small force, blockaded the Texel for several months. Being then reinforced, he met the Dutch fleet, which had, during his temporary absence, ventured out, and on October 11, 1797, most crushingly defeated it off Camperdown, capturing eight ships of the line. For this great service he was rewarded with a barony and viscounty, a pension of £3.000 a year, the thanks of both Houses, the freedom of the City and a sword of honour. Lord Duncan, whose character was one of the noblest and most amiable that has adorned the navy, was a man of extraordinary strength and physique, and particularly handsome. He died, universally lamented, on August 4, 1804.