Calder Robert — British Admiral

Generated portrait. Not a historical photograph.

Overview

Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Calder fought Villeneuve Pierre-Charles — French Admiral’s Combined Fleet off Cape Finisterre on 22 July 1805. The Battle of Cape Finisterre 1805 already names him as the British commander that day.1

Career and Key Roles

This note covers that action only. His post as Captain of the Fleet under Jervis John Earl St Vincent — Biography on 14 February 1797 is already on the Cape St Vincent note. Later years stay on RESEARCH_QUEUE.

Calder had 15 ships of the line, taken off the Rochefort and Ferrol blockades. Villeneuve had 20, including Bucentaure — Overview, with Gravina Federico — Spanish Admiral commanding the Spanish contingent. Two Spanish ships, San Rafael (80) and Firme (74), were taken. Neither admiral renewed. Villeneuve turned south instead of on to Brest.2

The Finisterre note already records that Calder was later court-martialled and reprimanded for not renewing, and did not hoist his flag at sea again.

Sources

Same Campaign

Cross-Domain

Footnotes

  1. British commander, 22 July 1805: Battle of Cape Finisterre 1805.

  2. 15 against 20; Rochefort and Ferrol; two Spanish prizes; no second day; south instead of Brest: same battle note. Do not add new Adkin page numbers or a 1797 biography here.