Everything about George Rooke totally explained
Sir George Rooke (
1650 –
January 24 1709), English naval commander, was born near
Canterbury in
1650. Entering the navy as a volunteer, he served in the
Dutch Wars and became
post captain in
1673.
He became
Rear Admiral in
1690, and fought at the
Battle of Beachy Head.
In May
1692 he served under
Russell at the
Battle of Barfleur, and he greatly distinguished himself in a night attack on the French fleet at
La Hogue, when he succeeded in burning six of their ships. Shortly afterwards he received the honour of knighthood and a reward of £1,000.
In
1693 he commanded the
Smyrna convoy, which was scattered and partly taken by the French Admiral
Tourville near
Lagos Bay.
Till the
peace of Rijswijk (
1697), he continued to serve in the
Channel and
Mediterranean. He commanded the Anglo-Dutch Squadron that attacked
Copenhagen in conjunction with the Swedish fleet under Admiral General
Hans Wachtmeister in 1700, which facilitated the landing of
King Charles XII of Sweden and his army in Denmark in the opening phase of the
Great Northern War.
With the opening of the
War of the Spanish Succession in
1702, he commanded the unsuccessful allied expedition against
Cádiz, but on the passage home destroyed the
Spanish treasure fleet in the
Battle of Vigo Bay, which won him the thanks of Parliament.
He commanded the allied naval forces in the capture of
Gibraltar on
July 21 1704, becoming military
Governor of Gibraltar from
July 24 to
August 4.
On
August 13 1704, he attacked the French fleet off
Málaga, the battle being drawn in tactical terms, but successful strategically in supporting the allies at Gibraltar. On account of his health, not, as many thought, at the dissatisfaction expressed indirectly at the result of the contest, he retired from the service in February
1705.
A statue was raised to honor Rooke at
Gibraltar in 2004, during the 300th anniversary celebration.
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