HAWKE, EDWARD, Baron, 1705-81; an English admiral. In the naval engagement at Toulon in 1744. he broke from the line of battle in order to engage the Pricier, and succeeded in compelling her to strike her colors; but his breach of discipline was pun ished by dismissal from the service. He was, however, restored by the king, and in 1747 was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral of the white. In Oct. of the same year he commanded a squadron sent to intercept a fleet of French merchant vessels bound for the West Indies under a convoy of nine men-of-war, and coining up with them on the 14th near the isle'of Aix, he succeeded in capturing six of the men-of-war, but dark ness coming on before the close of the contest, all the merchant vessels escaped. For his victory he was created a knight companion of the Bath. In Dec. of the same yedr he was chosen member of parliament for Bristol. In May. 1748, lie became vice-admiral of the blue, and in Jan., 1755, admiral of the white. In 1756 he succeeded admiral
Byng as commander of the fleet in the Mediterranean. In 1759 he took charge of a squadron sent to cruise off Brest. On the morning of Nov. 20 he sighted the French fleet under admiral Conflaus, off Belleisle, and notwithstanding that the French, trusting to their knowledge of the rocks and shallows, retired towards the shore, be engaged them with such impetuosity that their fleet was only saved from total destruction by the approach of night. As it was, more than half of their vessels were either disabled, captured, or driven on shore. For this brilliant victory, gained with the loss of only two vessels, Hawke received the thanks of the house of commons, and a pension of £2.000 per annum. In 1765 he was appointed vice-admiral of Great Britain, and first lord of the admiralty. In 1776 he was raised to the peerage by the title of baron Hawke of Towton.