First Salute Pb
by Peter Trew
Category: Biography & Autobiography

George Brydges Rodney (1718-1792), later Admiral Lord Rodney, had anything but a conventional career. His promising early career, which left him marked for advancement, had run into the sand during the long years of peace after the Seven Years War (1756-1763). Indeed when Britain and France found themselves at war again in 1778 as a result of the latter's support for the American colonists, Rodney had exiled himself in France to escape his creditors. It was only due to he generosity of a French nobleman that he was able to return to England.The main emphasis of this work is on Rodney's final two years of active service as Commander-in-Chief of the Leeward Islands during the closing stages of the American War of Independence Of the 21 enemy ships of the line captured or destroyed by the Royal Navy during the whole of that War, Rodney accounted for 15. His years of glory culminated in the defeat of the Comte de Grasse's fleet at the Battle of the Saintes fought off Dominica on 12 April 1782, where he famously broke the French line.Despite his undoubted fighting qualities, Rodney was a hard superior and difficult subordinate. His aloof and autocratic character won him few friends and he was also accused of letting his desire for prize money cloud his professional judgment. But there is no question that his prowess inspired others , not least Nelson himself.For a better understanding of both this complex character and maritime history during the American War of Independence, Rodney and the Breaking of the Line can be strongly recommended.(First published as a hardback in 2006 by Pen & Sword Military)