Court-martial of James, Lord Gambier
The Court-martial of James, Lord Gambier, was a notorious British naval legal case during the summer of 1809, in which Admiral Lord Gambier requested a court-martial to examine his behaviour during the Battle of Basque Roads in April of the same year. Noted for the acrimony and corruption of proceedings, it has been described as "one of the ugliest episodes in the internal history of the Royal Navy".
Sternhold and Hopkins at Sea; or a slave out of time. Charles Williams, 1809. NMM. A satirical print depicting Gambier and Cochrane during the Battle of Basque Roads; Gambier is shown reading the Bible, ignoring Cochrane's request to pursue the French fleet
Lord Cochrane Peter Edward Stroehling, 1807, GAC
An 1813 illustration of Lord Gambier
Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald
Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald GCB, styled Lord Cochrane between 1778 and 1831, was a British naval officer, peer, mercenary and politician. Serving during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars in the Royal Navy, his naval successes led Napoleon to nickname him le Loup des Mers. He was successful in virtually all of his naval actions.
Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald
Cochrane's father, The 9th Earl of Dundonald (1748–1831)
The action and capture by Speedy of the Spanish xebeque frigate El Gamo, by Charles Edward Dixon
Engraving, dated 1827, portraying Cochrane. French ships can be seen burning in the background.
