# Royal Naval Biography/Legge, Arthur Kaye

Layout 2
HON. SIR ARTHUR KAYE LEGGE,
Vice-Admiral of the White; Knight Commander of the most honorable Military Order of the Bath, and a Vice-President of the Naval Charitable Society.
The Legges are descended from a very ancient and honorable family in Venice, where the original stock is said by the Sieur Amelot, in his Hist. de Venice, still to flourish in the highest rank of nobility. A branch of this family migrated to England, some time prior to the reign of Edward II., and was long settled at Legge’s Place, near Tunbridge, in Kent. The first of its descendants whom we find particularly noticed, was Thomas, who served the office of Sheriff of London, in the 18th, and Lord Mayor in the 20th and 28th years of Edward III.
The subject of this sketch is the 5th son of William, second Earl of Dartmouth, by Frances Catharine, only child of Sir Charles Gunter Nicholl, K.B. He was born Oct. 25, 1766; entered the naval service at an early age; and in 1781, served as a Midshipman on board the Prince George, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Digby, on the American station; in which vessel he had the honor to be a shipmate with the present illustrious Admiral of the Fleet.
At the period of the Russian armament (1791), and from that time until the commencement of the war with the French republic, our officer commanded the Shark sloop, stationed in the Channel. He was promoted to post rank, Feb. 6, 1793, and immediately appointed to the Niger, of 32 guns, which ship was one of the repeaters to Earl Howe’s fleet on the glorious 1st June, 1794.
In the spring of 1795, the Latona frigate, into which Captain Legge had recently removed from the Niger, formed part of the squadron under the orders of Commodore Payne, sent ​to escort H.S.H. the Princess Caroline of Brunswick to this country.
About the month of May, 1797, Captain Legge was appointed to the Cambrian, of 40 guns, in which ship he was employed on the French coast, where he captured several large privateers; and in occasional attendance on their late Majesties, at Weymouth, until the close of the war. Soon after the renewal of hostilities, in 1803, he obtained the command of the Repulse, a new 74, attached to the Western squadron. Early in 1805, he captured a valuable Spanish merchantman off Ferrol; and in the same year, was present in the action between Sir Robert Calder and the combined squadrons of France and Spain. On this occasion the Repulse had 4 men wounded, and received considerable damage in her spars and rigging.
Captain Legge was afterwards ordered to the Mediterranean; and in 1807, accompanied Sir John T. Duckworth to the Dardanelles, where the Repulse had 10 men killed, and 14 wounded.
We next find our officer employed in the expedition to the Scheldt, an account of which will be found under the head of Sir Richard Strachan. Whilst at Flushing, a severe attack of the Walcheren fever obliged him to resign the command of his ship, and return to England, where he arrived about the latter end of 1809.
On the 31st July in the following year, Captain Legge was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral, but does not appear to have hoisted his flag until the Spring of 1811, when he was appointed to the command at Cadiz, and proceeded thither in the Revenge, of 74 guns. Previous to his departure from that station, the constitutional magistracy of the city expressed their gratitude for his co-operation in the defence of that island, in the following warm and handsome terms:
“Cadiz, Sept. 18, 1812.
“Excellent Sir,– The bravery and enthusiasm with which the illustrious seamen of the naval forces under your Excellency’s command, have contributed towards the defence of Cadiz, and their hearty union with the Spanish naval force, in all the fatigues and dangers during the siege of this island by the enemy’s troops, excite in such a manner the gratitude of the ​inhabitants, that language is insufficient to express the succours and effectual assistance which your Excellency has afforded in all enterprises, and your heroic constancy in annoying the enemy at all points of the opposite coasts, occasioning to them irreparable losses, which will always occupy the memory of the Cadizians, by whom the illustrious name of your Excellency, and your meritorious subalterns, will be an object of the most grateful remembrance. The constitutional magistracy of this city wishes to convey in this paper, with its true efficacy, the esteem and regard of the people of Cadiz for such famous warriors; but which cannot be done to the full extent of their desire; they beg that your Excellency would be pleased to receive the heartfelt expressions of their eternal gratitude.
“Your Excellency, a happy witness of the good conduct of your subaltern officers, of their valour, and indefatigable zeal; knowing the merit of your worthy officers; and affected also with the distinction with which the people of Cadiz beholds them; will have the goodness to signify to them, in the name of the municipal body, who are their representatives, their sincere demonstrations of gratitude. Cadiz, free from the treacherous siege with which the enemy has molested it during thirty months, now enjoys the satisfaction of seeing its independence secure; and a wise constitution restores to the Spaniards their liberty and their rights. These advantages, as well national as allied, are owing to the brave defenders of this island, the English marine, which hath taken so active a part in all operations, not only has deserved the esteem and gratitude of the inhabitants of Cadiz, but also hath rendered itself entitled to the rewards and distinctions of the English nation.
“If your Excellency, by the knowledge of the merit of your captains, officers, and ships’ companies of the vessels under your command, especially those of the Flotilla, and of the great fatigues they have undergone in the midst of the greatest dangers, would be pleased to intercede in favor of those meritorious officers, the city of Cadiz, which is so much interested for their welfare, will have the satisfaction of seeing rewards distributed as a recompense for such signal services.
“The constitutional magistracy of this city, have the honor to depute to your Excellency a legation, who by word of mouth, will express the sincere gratitude of the people of Cadiz, and the high consideration with which their representatives offer to your Excellency their respects.
“May God preserve your Excellency many years, “Cavetano Valdes, President.
“To His Excellency A. K. Legge.”
The Rear-Admiral replied to the above address in the following terms;
“H.B.M.S. Revenge, Cadiz Bay, Sept. 22, 1812.
“Most Excellent Sirs, – I beg, in the name of myself, and the officers and men I have the honor to command, to thank you for the handsome mark of attention you have been pleased to shew us, by sending a deputation from your body on board the Revenge; an honor we shall ever ​consider with the highest esteem and gratitude to the loyal and patriotic inhabitants of this noble city.
“In all our endeavours to prevent this city from falling into the iron grasp of the most despotic tyranny that ever disgraced mankind, we have been animated by the example of firmness, constancy, and devotion to the great and glorious cause in which we are mutually engaged, so eminently shewn by the brave people of Cadiz during such a length of time, under circumstances the most distressing and irritating, and to that of the Royal Spanish Marine, with whom we have ever had a pride in co-operating. " The services of the British officers and men who have so long served in the flotilla in whose welfare you have been kindly pleased to interest yourselves, are duly appreciated by me, and I have not failed to represent them to the notice of the British government.
“That this noble city may long enjoy prosperity, and that freedom which its inhabitants so richly deserve, is, gentlemen, the sincere wish and prayer of your devoted and very obedient humble servant,
“A. K. Legge, Rear-Adm. Com. H.B.M.’s “ships in Cadiz Bay.
“Their Excellencies the Aejantamiente of Cadiz.”
Some time after his return to England, Rear-Admiral Legge was appointed to the command in the river Thames, and hoisted his flag in the Thisbe frigate, off Greenwich, where it continued during the remainder of the war. He was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral, June 4, 1814; and nominated a K.C.B. Jan. 2, 1815. At the funeral of our late Monarch he assisted in the quality of a Groom of the Bedchamber.
Residence.– Blackheath, co. Kent.
* ↑ See p. 75, et seq.
* ↑ See p. 353.
* ↑ See p. 405.
* ↑ See p. 316, et seq.