BRENTON, SIR JAHLEEL British admiral, was born in Rhode Island, U.S.A., on Aug. 22, 1770, the son of Rear-Admiral Jahleel Brenton (1729-18o2). He served with great zeal in the peace before the beginning of the war in 1793, but see ing no chance of employment went to serve in the Swedish navy against the Russians. In 1790 he received his commission in the English navy, and until 1799 he served under Earl St. Vincent. As commander of the "Speedy" brig he won much distinction in actions with Spanish gunboats in the Straits of Gibraltar. In 1800 he reached the rank of post-captain, and served as flag-captain to Sir James (afterwards Lord) Saumarez in the action at Algeciras, and in the Straits in 1801. In 1803 he was wrecked on the coast of France, and imprisoned till 1806. His most brilliant action was fought with a flotilla of Franco-Neapolitan vessels outside of Naples in May 181o. He was made a baronet in 1812 and K.C.B. in 1815. Later he became commissioner of the dockyard at Port Mahon, and then at the Cape, and was afterwards lieutenant governor of Greenwich Hospital till 1840. His brother, CAPTAIN E. P. BRENTON (1774-1839), is best remembered by his writings on naval and military history—Naval History of Great Britain from the Year 1783 to 1822 (18 23) and The Life and Correspon dence of John, Earl of St. Vincent (1838) .
A Memoir of the Life and Services of Vice-Admiral Sir Jahleel Brenton, based on his own papers, was published in 1846 by the Rev. Henry Raikes, and reissued by the admiral's son, Sir L. C. L. Brenton, in 1855•