THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SEAMAN.
Dundonald, Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of:
London: Richard Bentley, 1861. Two volumes. xxiii,[1],428; xiv,[2],488pp. Contemporary calf, red and green morocco labels, spines ornately gilt. Spines slightly rubbed and edgeworn. Contemporary gift inscription on first blank leaf of first volume. Light occasional foxing. An internally bright and clean set. Very good. The second edition of the memoirs of the most colorful captain of Lord Nelson's era, the model for the fictional Jack Aubrey of "Master and Commander" fame. An extremely effective officer, Dundonald fell out of favor with the Admiralty for numerous criticisms of "naval abuses and corruptions." These attacks led to his dismissal from the Royal Navy in 1817. Undaunted, Dundonald embarked on a remarkable naval career as a brilliant soldier of fortune in South America. He joined the Chilean insurgents against Spain, destroying the Spanish fleet in the Pacific and greatly assisting in the attainment of Chile's independence. Later he drove the Portuguese fleet from Brazilian waters, winning the better part of northern Brazil without the loss of a single seaman. After service in Brazil he went to Greece to fight against the Turks. Ultimately restored to his previous rank at home, he commanded a British squadron in a time of peace. Promoted to rear admiral in 1832, Dundonald continued to be a force in the Royal Navy. He was the first to use steam power in warships and was a constant proponent of the screw propeller. A wonderful naval history, with detailed accounts of South American naval engagements. BORBA DE MORAES, p.275. UDEN & COOPER, p.90. SABIN 21273 (another ed). NMM 2:389 (another ed).
(Item ID: WRCAM39289) $750.00