Charles Shadwell (Royal Navy officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Charles Shadwell
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| Born | 31 January 1814 |
| Died | 1 March 1886 (aged 72) Melksham, Wiltshire |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1827–1879 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | HMS Sphinx HMS Highflyer HMS Aboukir HMS Hastings China Station Royal Naval College, Greenwich |
| Battles/wars | Second Opium War |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
Sir Charles Frederick Alexander Shadwell (born 31 January 1814, died 1 March 1886) was a brave officer in the Royal Navy. He rose through the ranks to become an Admiral. This meant he was a very high-ranking leader in the British Navy. Later in his career, he became the Commander-in-Chief of the China Station. This was an important naval base in Asia.
Contents
Charles Shadwell was born on January 31, 1814. He was the fourth son of a man named Sir Lancelot Shadwell. When he was just 13 years old, in 1827, Charles decided to join the Royal Navy. This was a common path for young men from his background at the time.
Adventures at Sea
Charles Shadwell had many exciting experiences during his time in the navy.
- In 1840, he was part of naval operations near Syria.
- By 1850, he became a Commander. He was in charge of a ship called HMS Sphinx .
- With the Sphinx, he took part in the Second Anglo-Burmese War. This was a conflict between the British and the Burmese kingdom.
Becoming a Captain
In 1853, Charles Shadwell was promoted to Captain. This was another big step up in his career.
- From 1856, he commanded HMS Highflyer.
- He was involved in important events during the Second Opium War. This included the capture of Canton (now Guangzhou) and the Battle of Taku Forts. These were major battles where the British Navy played a key role.
Leading More Ships
Captain Shadwell continued to command different ships:
- From 1861, he led HMS Aboukir.
- In 1862, he took command of HMS Hastings.
Important Leadership Roles
Charles Shadwell's skills and experience led him to even more important positions.
- In 1864, he became the Captain-Superintendent of the Gosport victualling-yard. This was a place where naval ships were supplied with food and other necessities.
- In 1871, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, China Station. This made him the top naval officer in a very important region for the British Empire.
Academic Achievements
Besides his naval duties, Sir Charles Shadwell was also recognized for his intelligence.
- In 1861, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected group of scientists.
- In 1878, he became the President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. This was a famous college where naval officers were trained.
Retirement and Later Life
Sir Charles Shadwell retired from the Royal Navy in 1879. He had served his country for 52 years! After retirement, he lived in a place called Meadow Bank in Melksham, Wiltshire. He never married and passed away in 1886.
