SAUMLREZ, JAMES, Baron de, a celebrated naval hero, was descended from an old French family, which had long been settled iii Guernsey, and was born there Mar. 11, 1757. He entered the navy as midshipman at the age of 13, and served in thti American war (1774-82), receiving for his gallantry at the attack of Charleston (1775) the grade of lieut.; but he was recalled before the end of this war, and placed tinder sir Hyde Parker. He did good service in the action off the Dogger Bank (Aug., 1731), and was rewarded with promotion to the rank of comniauder, being soon afterward placed under the orders of admiral Kempenfeldt on the Jamaica station. At the great light hetween Rod ney and De Grasse (April 12, 1782), Saumarez commanded the Russell, a line-of-battle ship, and gained much distinction by his coolness-and intrepidity throughout. For his gallant capture of the French frigate La Reunion. with one inferior in size end equip ment, lie received the honor of knighthood; and in command of the Orion, a seventy four, lie served under lord Bridport at the battle of l'Orient, June 23, 1795. Ho also
took a prominent part in the battle off cape St. Vincent (Feb. 14, 1797), end was secon 1 in command at the battle of the Nile, in whi,:h he was severely wounded. le 1801 he became a baronet, and vice-admiral of the•blue; and in the same year fought his great est action off Cadiz (.July 12), defeating a French-Spanish fleet of 10 line-of-battle ships and 4 frigate:, with a squadron less than half their strength, and causing to the enemy a loss of 3,010 men and three ships. This contest, than which, according to admiral Nelson, "a greater was never fought," gained for Saullarez the order of the bath, the freedom of the city of London, rind the thanks of parliament. In the Russian war he commanded the Baltic fleet., and took or destroyed two large Russian flotillas (July, 1809). In 1814 he became adiniral, vice-admiral of Great Britain iii 1821, was created- a peer in 1831, and died at Guernsey, Oct. 9, 1833. His life lass been written by sir John Ross (silernofrs of Admiral Lord de Saumarez, 2 vols., 1838).