Memoirs of a Fighting Captain

by Thomas Cochrane

The real-life 'Master and Commander', Thomas Lord Cochrane's heroic naval exploits and maverick public life made him one of the most celebrated figures of Georgian England. As captain of the brig Speedy and the frigates Pallas and Imp

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography

311 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Admiral Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald, 1st Marquess of Maranhão, GCB, ODM, styled Lord Cochrane between 1778 and 1831, was a Scottish naval flag officer of the Royal Navy and radical politician.

He was a daring and successful captain of the Napoleonic Wars, leading the French to nickname him Le Loup des Mers ('The Sea Wolf').

He was dismissed from the Royal Navy in 1814, following a conviction for fraud on the Stock Exchange. He helped organize and lead the rebel navies of Chile, Brazil and Greece during their respective wars of independence through the 1820s. While in charge of the Chilean Navy, Cochrane also contributed to Peruvian Independence through the Freedom Expedition of Perú.

In 1832, he was pardoned by the Crown and reinstated in the Royal Navy with the rank of Rear Admiral of the Blue. After several more promotions, he died in 1860 with the rank of Admiral of the Red, and the honorary title of Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom.

His life and exploits inspired the naval fiction of 19th- and 20th-century novelists, particularly the figures of C. S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower and Patrick O'Brian's protagonist Jack Aubrey.

Reviews

[ile]

Easy to follow along the first person narrative of Lord cochrane, especially when almost every page has a header at the top highlighting the main factual narrative found on the page. The book outlines Cochrane's highs and lows from his career, and the editor does not hold back when to call out Cochrane's errors, ommissions, and exaggerations. Oftentimes, I found myself laughing at reading the footnotes from the editor at how brutal he was towards Cochrane. I also found it fascinating how much honor there was when engaging in battle, highlighting noble qualities of his opponents or brave enemy soldiers that displayed tremendous courage. There was a level of respect for your opponent that is displayed in Cochrane's narrative, in a way, portraying naval warfare as a respectable profession. At other times, though, it felt a little deplorable, such as when Cochrane would put up other country flags as his own in order to deceive his enemies. Of course, there is also the prize (award) received for capturing enemy ships that may have played a role. Overall, it is a great book worth a read, which will have you laugh at times and be impressed with a man who was a genius in naval warfare and have you cheering for him when he sets out to reedeem himself.

[Teresa]

Cochrane has been the model for many historical naval heros (from Hornblower to Aubrey) so was fascinating to read his own account of his career and adventures. It is not the best-written book but it is eye-opening. Cochrane was undoubtedly a brilliant seaman but he was also avaricious, petty and could carry a grudge for years. His wife's adventures in South America, of which we hear little, sound as exciting as his own - unfortunately she has not left a memoir of her travails.

[Jules Begg]

Very good insight into life in those times.

[Jonathan Lancashire]

The original unreliable narrator but still some heroic exploits. And he married for love.

[Colin Mitchell]

This is Thomas Cochrane’s own tale of his exploits as a Captain in the Royal Navy and in the service of the revolutionary governments of Chile and later Brazil. This Folio Society edition of Lord Cochrane’s, (Later 10th Earl of Dundonald) is introduced by Brian Vale who sets into greater context the account of the author. There are also editorial notes where the story does not agree with the historical and known facts of some incidents. The book does reveal a brave and popular, with the seaman and officer's of his command, who was nevertheless often in conflict with his superiors. Cochrane became, despite his various absences on naval duty, the radical MP for Honiton and later Westminster. He was opposed to the corruption in government and the admiralty with fellow radicals such as his friend William Cobbett. He felt he was the subject of a conspiracy when gaoled for a stock market fraud. He was later pardoned and reinstated in the Navy. Taking into account the editorial notes this is a good read about the Navy in the late 1700’s early 1800’s. A very well-bound edition with a cover purchased in a charity shop for £1.99.

[Alastair Manderson]

Interesting Scottish Sailor, elected to Parliament, stripped of his rank in the Navy and went on to serve in the fleets of rebellion against Sapin, they rate him very highly in Chile and such.

He was later serving in the Royal Navy once more.

He makes a series of claims which are plain old lies, and which the editor has explained by means of footnote.

Perhaps most interesting is this Scotsman use of "England" to describe actions by Britain which are morally poor but "Great Britain" to describe good things that Britain had done. Kind of the Andy Murray situation in reverse.

[Daniel]

I was a little surprised by what a self absorbed jerk Cochrane was. Never-the-less, this is a fascinating book, especially to those who have enjoyed the Patrick O'Brian novels. Many of those sea exploits as well as on-land scandals came right out of Lord Cochrane's life.