EXMOUTH, EDWARD PELLEW, VISCOUNT, a distinguished naval commander, was born April 19, 1757, at Dover, where his father was captain of a government packet. Edward Pellew entered the navy in 1770, and iu that year sailed with Captain Stott when ho , was sent out to retake possession of Port Egmont, on the island of I West Falkland, which had been captured and restored by the Spaniards. He was afterwards in the elediterrauean, and was in the Blonde frigate, employed in the relief of Quebec. He first distinguished himself iu the battle on Lake Champlain, October 11, 1776.. After his return to England, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 1779, and in 1782 obtained his commission as post-captain. From 1786 to 1789 he was stationed off the coast of Newfoundland. In 1793, having been appointed to the command of the Nymphe, frigate, 36 guns, he fell in with La Cleopatra, French frigate, 36 guns. The French ship was fought with skill and bravery, but after a desperate battle struck her colours. His gallantry on this occasion was rewarded with the honour of knighthood. Sir Edward Pellew was soon afterwards appointed to the command of the Arethusa, frigate, 44 guns, and was engaged in several actions off Jersey and other parts of the French coast, in which some frigates and numerous smaller vessels were captured or destroyed. He was afterwards transferred to the Indefatigable, 49 guns. In 1796, after a chase of fifteen hours he came up with La Virginia French frigate, and captured her. On the 13th of January 1797, the Indefatigable and Amazon having engaged a large French ship in foggy weather, after an action of five hours the Indefatigable was obliged to sheer off to secure her mute. Early in the morning breakers were seen, and the skill and energy of Sir Edward Pellew saved ,the Inde fatigable, but the Amazon and the French ship were wrecked together. The French ship proved to be a two-decker of 80 guns, and had on board, including soldiers, 1700 persons, of whom 1350 perished.
In the early part of 1799 Sir Edward Pellow was appointed to the command of the - Imp6tueux, 78 guns, and was actively employed iu various services ou the French coast. In 1802 he was nominated Colonel of Marines, and in the same year was elected M.P. for the borough of Bardetaple, in Devonshire. On the renewal of the war after the peace of Amiens Sir Edward was appointed to the Tennant, 84 guns, and on the 23rd of April 1801, was promoted to the rank of near-Admiral of the Red, and made commander in the East Indies, in consequence of which he resigned his seat in the House of Commons, July 20, 1804. On the 28th of April 1803, he was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and returned home at the com mencement of the following year. In 1810 he was employed In
blockading Flushing, and soon afterwards was sent to the Meditrr mean as commanderin-chief there. On the 24th of May 1814 Sir Edward I'cllew was elevated to the peerage, with the title of Baron Exmouth of Canonteign in Devonshire, with a pension of 2000/. a year for his long and eminent services. On the 4th of June 1814, Lord Exmouth was promoted to the rank of full admiral; on the 2nd of January 2815 he was created a K.C.I3., and on the 16th of March 1816 a O.C.B.
During his command in the Mediterranean Lord Exmouth had con cluded treaties with the rulers of Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, for the abolition of Christian slavery in those states; but after his return to England it became known that the Dey of Algiers had violated his treaty in the most flagrant manner. The British government, in conjunction with that of Holland, having resolved to chastise the Algerinee, Lord Exmouth set sail on board the Queen Charlotte with eighteen other remain of war, and having been joined by the Dutch admiral with six frigates, they appeared before the city of Algiers on the 26th of August 1816. The plan of attack was one of the most daring on record. The Queen Charlotte sailed into the harbour, and took her station within the mole at eighty yards from the prin cipal batteries, and with her bowsprit almost touching the houses. The other ships were placed in admirable order to support each other and act with most effect against the enemy. A tremendous fire was commenced on both elders at a quarter to three in the afternoon. The Algeriae fleet, consisting of four large frigates, five large corvettes, and a large number of smaller vessels, were all on fire at once, and the flames had extended to the arsenal and other public and private buildings. At ten o'clock ,p.m. the firing ceased,„the Dey of Algiers having consented to every demand. On the 30th of August a treaty was concluded on the terms dictated by the conquerors. Lord Exmouth was slightly wounded in the leg and also on the cheek, and bla coat is described as having been almost torn into strips by grape and musket shot. On his return to England he received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, and on the ]0th of December 1316 was raised to the rank of Viscount. About 1200 Christian slaves were art at liberty, and insignia of knighthood were sent to Lord Exmouth from several 'dates to which they belonged. On the death of Sir Thomas Duckworth ho was appointed to tho chief command at Plymouth, but after 1821 he retired from public service. He died January 23, 1833.