# Royal Naval Biography/Cocks, George

Layout 2
GEORGE COCKS Esq. [Post-Captain of 1807.]
Commanded the Thunder bomb during the siege of Copenhagen, in 1807. The following extracts from the journals of Admiral Gambier and Lord Cathcart, will show the nature of the operations in which he was engaged at that period:
“Aug. 15th, the fleet worked upfront abreast of Elsineur to Wilbek; the reserve anchored nearest the shore, covered by the Surveillante frigate, and by several sloops, bombs, and gun-brigs; 16th, the reserve landed at 5 A.M., with the ordnance of a light brigade, and occupied the heights. The ​remainder of the infantry, &c. &c. followed; 17th, head-quarters established at Hellerup; cavalry commenced disembarking. The piquets of the left towards the town were attacked about noon, at the same time the enemy’s gun-boats rowed out of the harbour, and cannonaded the left of the line with grape and round shot. H.M. bombs, &c. having been towed as near the harbour as they could, opened a fire at a considerable distance upon the enemy’s flotilla, which, after a long cannonade, retired into the harbour; 18th, at day-break the gun-boats attacked the inshore squadron, trusting to the superior weight of their guns. The gun-brigs having, during the night, exchanged their carronades for long 18-pounders, the enemy retired, but advanced again with increased numbers. A brigade of nine-pounders having been brought to the British post at Bagerne’s Mill, took them in flank, and after cannonading for some time they were driven in; 19th, the advanced squadron took a position near the entrance of the harbour, within the Crown battery, and on the 22nd, was attacked, about 10 A.M., by three praams (each carrying 20 guns) and a considerable number of gunboats (said to be more than thirty), in addition to the fire from the Trekoner, the floating batteries, and block-ships, which was continued for more than four hours. The fire was returned with great spirit from the squadron, and some attempts were made to throw Congreve’s rockets; but the distance was too great to produce much effect from them.” On this occasion, says Admiral Gambier:– “I am happy to find the squadron received no material injury. We have, however, to regret the loss of Lieutenant John Woodford, of the Cruiser, with 3 men killed in the several vessels, and 13 wounded. On the part of the enemy, it is believed that one gunboat was disabled or sunk, and one of the praams was observed to be towed out of the action disabled. The ships and vessels undermentioned were engaged in this affair, and I have acquitted myself of a most pleasing duty in conveying to their commanders, officers, and crews, the warm sense of praise and approbation with which their bravery and energy during so long and so heavy a contest have inspired me;– Thunder, Zebra, Fury, AEtna, and Vesuvius, bombs,” commanded by Captains George Cocks, William Bowles, John Sanderson Gibson, William Godfrey, and Richard Arthur; “Cruiser, Kite, and Mutine, sloops,” Captains Pringle Stoddart, Joseph James, and Hew Steuart; “Hebe armed ship,” Captain Andrew King; “Fearless, Indignant, Urgent, Pincher, Tigress, Desperate, and Safeguard, gun-brigs,” under the command of Lieutenants John Williams, George Broad, Peter Rigby, James Aberdour, R. Long, ___ Price, and Robert Balfour; “three armed transports, and ten launches fitted as mortar-boats.”
Aug. 31, the Danish gun-boats and batteries again attacked the inshore squadron, and succeeded in blowing up an armed transport, by which disaster 11 persons lost their lives, and ​20 others were more or less injured; among the latter was Lieutenant Henry Nathaniel Rowe, of the Valiant 74.
Sept. 2, the mortar batteries which had been erected by the army, together with the bomb-vessels, began the bombardment of Copenhagen, with such effect, that in a short time the town was set on fire; and by the aid of the artillery, it was kept in flames till the evening of the 5th, when General Peymann sent out a flag of truce desiring an armistice, to afford time to treat for a capitulation. The result of this negociation has been stated in our memoir of Lord Gambier. Captain Cocks was advanced to post rank on the 13th of the following month.
Agent.– ___ M‘Inerheny, Esq.