Background
Douglas was born in Carr, Perthshire, Scotland to Charles Ayton Douglas and Christian Hepburn of Kinglassie
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Charles Douglas
Edit ProfileCareer
Charles Douglas joined the Royal Navy at the age of twelve, and spent some time in the Dutch service before resuming his career with the British. He was promoted lieutenant in the navy on the 4th of December 1753. He became commander on the 24th of February 1759, and attained to post rank in 1761.
When the War of American Independence began, he took an active part in the defence of Canada in 1775, and he afterwards commanded the “Stirling Castle” 64 in the battle of the Ushant, 27th of July 1778. He participated in the Battle of Dominica or Battle of the Saintes on the 12th of April 1782. It appears from the testimony of Sir F. Thesiger (d. 1805), who was present on the quarter-deck of the flagship, that Sir Charles Douglas, who was then captain of the fleet, first pointed out to Rodney the possibility and the advantage of passing through the French line. His advice was taken with reluctance. On the other hand, Lord Hood accuses Douglas of living in such abject fear of his admiral that he did not venture to speak with the freedom which his important post entitled him to take.
In 1783, he was made the Commander-in-Chief of North America at the Halifax, Nova Scotia Station, but resigned due to a conflict. He became rear-admiral on the 24th of September 1787, and in 1789 was once again made commander of the Nova Scotia station, but died of apoplexy before taking his post.
Achievements
Membership
Fellow of the Royal Society
Connections
Douglas was married three times: first to a Dutch woman called Uranie Lidie Marteilhe, with whom he had a son and a daughter; second to Sarah Wood of Yorkshire, the mother of Sir Howard Douglas; and third to a woman named Jane, daughter of John Baillie.
References
-
Born
-
Died
March 17, 1789 (aged 62) -
Resting place
Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh -
Nationality
British -
Ethnicity