In the Shadow of Nelson: The Naval Leadership of Admiral Sir Charles Cotton, 1753-1812

by Paul Krajeski

Overview

Sir Charles Cotton served in the Royal Navy from 1772 to 1812. Unfortunately timing precluded his presence at Trafalgar, but he participated in other pivotal battles, including The Saintes and The Glorious First of June. His career culminated with command of a squadron based off Lisbon, Portugal, followed by commands of the prestigious Mediterranean and Channel Fleets. Each of these commands notably influenced the Peninsular War. This study helps to answer one of the most frequently asked questions about this era: How did British naval power contribute to the defeat of Napoleon? Krajeski expands current thinking about the Royal Navy's leadership and accomplishments during this period.

Cotton belongs to the most storied generation of naval commanders in British history. They first served during the American Revolution, participating in numerous combined operations and naval engagements along the North American coast, in the Caribbean, and elsewhere. The experience that they gained between 1775 and 1783 figured prominently upon the resumption of war against France in 1793. As a captain in the Channel Fleet, Cotton fought at the Battle of The Glorious First of June in 1794 and actively blockaded the French Atlantic ports; as an admiral between 1797 and 1806, he focused primarily on the blockade of Brest. In 1808 he achieved a modest measure of contemporary fame as commander of a squadron that supported Sir Arthur Wellesley's campaign in Portugal. Cotton subsequently influenced the Peninsular War as commander of the Mediterranean and Channel Fleet. He died while in command of the Channel Fleet.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313310393
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/30/2000
Series:	Contributions in Military Studies , #184
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

PAUL C. KRAJESKI currently serves in an infantry battalion in Tennessee./e He has taught in the Department of History at West Point.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
Introduction
A Commissioned Sea Officer: The Formative Years
Continuing Education: Service in the Channel Fleet
Channel Fleet Admiral: A Decade of Understudy
An Admiral's Flag at Lisbon: Squadron Command off the Tagus
Portugal Takes Center Stage: Preparation for the British Army
Cotton and Wellesley's Amphibious Campaign in Portugal
Aftermath of Vimeiro: The Convention of Cintra and Permanent Continental Foothold
Succeeding Lord Collingwood: Cotton Takes Command of the Mediterranean Fleet
Rising Tide in the West: The Peninsular War and the Mediterranean Fleet
Channel Fleet Command: The Peninsula Encircled
Epilogue
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Krajeski is now on infantry duty in Tennessee, but has taught history at West Point. He examines Cotton's career as a typical British naval of his generation, who participated in the war for American independence as junior officers and assumed leadership of the Royal Navy during the ward of the French Revolution. His study provides a perspective on leadership development and clarifies why the Royal Navy had so many capable post captains and admirals from 1793 to 1815. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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