CALDER, SIR ROBERT, BART. (1745—I818), British ad miral, was born at Elgin, in Scotland, on July 2, 1745 (o.s.), of an old family, and at the age of 14 entered the British navy as midshipman. In 1796 he was named captain of the fleet by Sir John Jervis, and took part in the great battle off Cape St. Vincent (Feb. 14, 1797). He received a baronetcy in 1798. In 1799 he became rear-admiral; and in 1801 he was despatched with a small squadron in pursuit of a French force, under Admiral Gantheaume, conveying supplies to the French in Egypt. In this pursuit he was not successful, and returning home at the peace he struck his flag. When the war again broke out he was recalled to service, was promoted vice-admiral in 1804, and was employed in the following year in the blockade of the ports of Ferrol and Corunna, in which (amongst other ports) ships were preparing for the in vasion of England by Napoleon I. He held his position with a force greatly inferior to that of the enemy, and refused to be enticed out to sea. On its becoming known that the first move ment directed by Napoleon was the raising of the blockade of Ferrol, Rear-Admiral Stirling was ordered to join Sir R. Calder and cruise with him to intercept the fleets of France and Spain on their passage to Brest. The approach of the enemy was con cealed by a fog; but on July 22, 1805, their fleet came in sight. It still outnumbered the British force ; but Sir Robert entered into action. After a combat of four hours, during which he cap tured two Spanish ships, he gave orders to discontinue the action. He offered battle again on the two following days, but the chal lenge was not accepted. The French admiral Villeneuve, however, did not pursue his voyage, but took refuge in Ferrol. In the judg ment of Napoleon, his scheme of invasion was baffled by this day's action ; but much indignation was felt in England at the failure of Calder to win a complete victory. In consequence of the strong feeling against him at home he demanded a court-martial. This was held on Dec. 23, and resulted in a severe reprimand of the vice-admiral for not having done his utmost to renew the engage ment, at the same time acquitting him of both cowardice and disaffection. False expectations had been raised in England by the mutilation of his despatches, and of this he indignantly complained in his defence. The tide of feeling, however, turned again; and in 1815, by way of public testimony to his services, and of ac quittal of the charge made against him, he was appointed com mander of Portsmouth. He died at Holt, near Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire, on Aug. 31, 1818.
See Naval Chronicle, xvii.; James, Naval History, iii. (186o).