"Napoleonic Wars: Admiral Lord Thomas Cochrane" Topic

"Thomas Cochrane was born December 14, 1775, at Annsfield, Scotland. The son of Archibald Cochrane, 9th Earl of Dundonald and Anna Gilchrist, he spent the majority of his early years at the family's estate in Culross. Under the practice of the day his uncle, Alexander Cochrane, an officer in the Royal Navy, had his name entered on the books of naval vessels at age five. Though technically illegal, this practice reduced the amount of time Cochrane would need to serve before becoming an officer if he elected to pursue a naval career. As another option, his father also secured him a commission in the British Army.

In 1793, with the beginning of the French Revolutionary Wars, Cochrane joined the Royal Navy. Initially assigned to his uncle's ship HMS Hind (28 guns), he soon following the elder Cochrane to HMS Thetis (38). Learning his trade on the North American station, he was appointed an acting lieutenant in 1795, before passing his lieutenant's exams the following year. Following several assignments in America, he was made eighth lieutenant on Lord Keith's flagship HMS Barfleur (90) in 1798. Serving in the Mediterranean, he clashed with the ship's first lieutenant, Philip Beaver…"
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Amicalement
Armand

burned Washington, DC. Had a very successful and long career.

There were two Cochranes-Thomas Cochrane was convicted of fraud and conspiracy in 1814 and expelled from the Royal Navy. Alexander Cochrane was an admiral of a quite different type. It was he who burned Washington among other atrocities.

Cochrane and his subordinate Cockburn, raided and burned along the Chesapeake. He was able, as was Cockburn, but he was also 'arrogant and exceedingly hard-handed' and was as able at maurading as he was a naval commander.

On 18 July 1814 Cochrane 'required and directed' his naval forces 'to destroy and lay waste such towns and districts…as you may find assailable' in the process of inflicting 'retributory justice' on the property of American civilians because of the 'impropriety as well as the inhumanity' of US conduct toward 'His Majesty's unoffending Canadian subjects.'

He failed at both Baltimore and New Orleans, the latter in a most bloody fashion.

Fine, upstanding British gentlemen, to be sure: fraud, embezzlement, pillage, and burning.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand