Edward Acton (Royal Navy officer) facts for kids
Edward Acton (died 1707) was a captain in the Royal Navy, known for his important service during the time of Queen Anne.
Edward Acton was born around 1673. He began his journey in the navy as a volunteer in September 1691, serving on the ship HMS Diamond.
By May 1693, he had become a Lieutenant on another ship, HMS Advice. He later took command of this ship in October 1694 after its previous captain passed away.
Key Battles and Commands
Captain Acton played a role in some major naval events. In 1704, he commanded the ship HMS Kingston during Sir George Rooke's strong attack on Gibraltar. This event is known as the Capture of Gibraltar.
Later that same year, Acton also took part in the Battle of Málaga. After this battle, some people questioned his bravery. However, a special naval court, called a court martial, looked into these claims. The court found that the accusations were false, and Captain Acton was completely cleared of any wrongdoing.
Final Service and Death
In 1706, Captain Acton took command of the ship HMS Grafton. This ship was repaired and updated the following year.
While escorting other ships, the HMS Grafton was attacked by two French ships. This battle happened off the coast near Dungeness. Sadly, Captain Acton was killed during this fight in 1707.
