The morning call., 1892-06-12
4 BRITISH HERO.
Striking incidents in The Career Of Lord
COGhranG.
"A old-sehoel Seaman and Brave Fighter.
His Resources in Emergencies, Courage
and Audaeity,
Written for THE MoENINe CALL

In the long list Of distinguished men who
have served in the British navy there is
Rone whose career is more remarkable than
that OF Thomas, tenth Earl Of DundOnald,
known to the world as Lord Cochrane.
This hero never had command Of a British
feet during war time, but bis exploits with
single ships were extraordinary in bOldness
and success, and show that his resources
In command were marvellous. Nelson did
great deeds with fleets, but in reading what
CochTane did with single vessels of small
size We feel far more admiration for the
man who achieved much under very un-
favorable circumstances. Unfortunately
for him he was too outspoken and had too
little of the courtier to be 10 favor at the
Admiralty, and events occurred whichdrOve
him out Of the navy altogether and into the
service of Chile and Brazil. His achieve
ments for these countries give him imperish-
able renOwn.
as MIDsHIPMAN.
Lord Cochrane was born at Aunsfeld, In
LanaTkshire, Scotland, in 1775, and he
joined the navy as midshipman when sew
enteen and half years old. The family
was very poor and the money for his equip
ment was advanced by the Earl of Hope
toun. On the frigate Hind his education as
a seaman was taken in hand by Lieuten-
ant LarmOur, a salt of the school,
who, at the moment Of intIOduc-
tion, was employed in setting up
the rigging and was in foTecastle gaTD, with
q maTlinspike sluDg round his neck and a
lump Of grease in his hand. This officer
remarked when he surveyed COchTane's
kit, that the service was going TO the devil,
and he reduced the proportions OF his chest
by saving 1t OF near the keyhole. How
ever, LaTmour found an apt pupil after his
own style in the new MILDLY, and in very
short time he made him a thorough sailor.
Only once did COchrane get mastheaded,
and that was for having left the deck for
few minutes. He showed such ardOr in
learning his profession that ne Kept on
board frigate at SheeTness when refttlng,
ead picked up from LarmOur all he knew
aboat rigging and the hard work Of ship.
that being the lieutenants mode OF spend
ing holiday.
IN COMMAND OF A BRIG.
COchrane was FIVE years on the Ihetis
on the North American station, and then
he served in the Mediterranean under IOrd
St Vincent and Lord Keith. At Palermo
he had opportunities OF converts alton with
Lord Nelson, and one Of Nelson 5 wise say
ings lived IN CCchTanes s memory ana was
appiied-"Never mind maneuveTs; always
20 at them" He was appointed to the
command OF the DIlk Dpeeu9S CId1b hblSh
was a mere toy even IN those days. one
was 15S tons burden, had a crew Of "a men
and 4 officers, and her armament was four
teen 4pOundeTs. To show the ridiculous
ness Of this equipment. Cochrane amused
himself by walking the quarterback with
n whole broadside in his coat pockets! Yet
he soon made the Speedy respected by the
Standards and French. Prize after prize
was captured with dash and fearlessness,
even when under the protection o1 iorls,
and it actually became an object with the
enemy 10 capture this harass!ng sea hornet
yarIous vessels being delegated specially to
look out for her,
On one occasion he almost caught Tar
tar. He mad given chase TO large ship
Inshore, but when close to her discovered
that she was a Spanish frigate. 1t would
have been imprudent to fight. and he got of
by cOnsummate strategy. The speedy had
been painted in imitation Of DANISH orig
well known on the Spanish coast and had
Danish quaTtermaster on board properly
uniformed. So she Danish flag was run up.
and when a beat came alongside the quar-