The Viscount Hood | |
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![]() Portrait of Hood by James Northcote | |
Born | Butleigh, Somerset, England | 12 December 1724
Died | 27 January 1816 London, England | (aged 91)
Allegiance | Great Britain |
Branch | Royal Navy |
Years of service | 1741–1794 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands | |
Battles / wars | |
Spouse(s) | Susannah Linzee |
Relations |
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Admiral Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood (12 December 1724 – 27 January 1816)[1] was a Royal Navy officer and politician. As a junior officer he saw action during the War of the Austrian Succession. While in temporary command of Antelope, Hood drove a French ship ashore in Audierne Bay, and captured two privateers in 1757 during the Seven Years' War. He held senior command as Commander-in-Chief, North American Station and then as Commander-in-Chief, Leeward Islands Station.
During the American Revolutionary War, Hood led the British fleet to victory at the Battle of the Mona Passage in April 1782. He went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, then First Naval Lord and, after briefly returning to the Portsmouth command, became Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet during the French Revolutionary Wars. His younger brother was Admiral Alexander Hood, 1st Viscount Bridport (1726–1814), and his first cousin once-removed was Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, 1st Baronet (1762–1814).