DUNCAN, ADAM DUNCAN, 1ST VISCOUNT (1731 1804), British naval commander, was born on July 1, 1731, at Lundie, in Forfarshire, Scotland. Entering the navy in 1746, he saw much active service in European and American waters, and in Feb. 1795 he hoisted his flag as commander-in-chief of the North Sea fleet, appointed to harass the Batavian navy. Towards the end of May 1797, though, in consequence of the mutiny in the British fleet, he had been left with only the "Adamant" (50), besides his own ship the "Venerable" (74), Admiral Duncan pro ceeded to his station off the Texel, where lay at anchor the Dutch squadron of 15 sail of the line, under the command of Vice-admiral de Winter. From time to time he caused signals to be made, as if to the main body of a fleet in the offing, a stratagem which probably secured his freedom from molestation until, in the middle of June, reinforcements arrived. On Oct. 3 the admiral put into Yarmouth roads to refit, but receiving information early on the 9th that the enemy was at sea, he gave chase. On the morning of the I 1 th de Winter's fleet was sighted lying about 9m. from shore, between the villages of Egmont and Camperdown. The British fleet was slightly superior in force to that of the Dutch. Shortly after mid-day the British ships, without waiting to form in order, broke through the Dutch line, and an engagement com menced which, after heavy loss on both sides, resulted in the taking by the British of 11 of the enemy's vessels. In recognition of this victory, Admiral Duncan was, on Oct. 21, created Viscount Duncan of Camperdown and baron of Lundie, with an annual pension of £3,000 to himself and the two next heirs to his title. The earldom of Camperdown was created for his son Robert (1785-1859) in 1831, and is still in the possession of his descend ants. Lord Duncan retired in 1800, and died on Aug. 4, 1804. See Charnock, Biog. Nay. ; Collins, Peerage of England, p. 378 (1812) ; W. James, Naval History of Great Britain (1822) ; Yonge, History of the British Navy, vol. i. (1863) ; Earl of Camper down, Admiral Duncan (1898), vol. xvi. of the Navy Record Soc. publications, contains the logs of the ships engaged at Camperdown.