Edward Troubridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Edward Troubridge
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| Born | c. 1787 |
| Died | 7 October 1852 (aged 64–65) Belgravia, London |
| Allegiance | Great Britain United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1797–1852 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath |
| Relations | See Troubridge baronets |
| Other work | MP for Sandwich (1832–1847) |
Rear Admiral Sir Edward Thomas Troubridge, 2nd Baronet (born around 1787 – died 7 October 1852) was an important officer in the British Royal Navy. He served during major conflicts like the French Revolutionary Wars, Napoleonic Wars, and the War of 1812. After his naval career, he became a member of Parliament for Sandwich, Kent, serving for fifteen years.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Family
Edward Troubridge was the only son of Sir Thomas Troubridge, 1st Baronet, who was also a Rear-Admiral. His mother was Frances Northall. Edward went to school at Dr. Charles Burney's academy in Greenwich, which was a good preparation for his future.
Edward joined the Navy as a volunteer on January 21, 1797. He was only about 10 years old at the time. His first ship was Cambridge, a guard ship at Plymouth.
In 1801, he became a midshipman on Achille. He then moved to Edgar and took part in the Battle of Copenhagen on April 2, 1801. This was a big naval battle where the British fleet fought against the Danish-Norwegian fleet. After this, he served on several other ships, including Victory, which was the flagship of the famous Lord Nelson.
Rising Through the Ranks
Edward was promoted to lieutenant in 1806 while serving in the East Indies. He soon became acting-commander of the ship Harrier.
In July 1806, his ship Harrier and another frigate, Greyhound, fought a Dutch squadron off Sulawesi. They managed to capture most of the Dutch ships. Edward's father, who was also a naval officer, was very proud of his son's bravery in this action. Edward was officially promoted to commander in September 1806 and then to post-captain in November 1807.
A Family Tragedy
In 1807, Edward's father, Sir Thomas Troubridge, was supposed to sail his flagship, Blenheim, from the East Indies to the Cape of Good Hope. Despite warnings that the ship was not in good condition, his father insisted on making the journey. The Blenheim sailed with another frigate, Java, and the sloop Harrier (which Edward had commanded).
On February 5, Harrier lost contact with the other two ships. Sadly, the Blenheim and Java were never seen again. It was believed they were lost in a severe storm. When his father died, Edward became the 2nd Baronet. He returned home in January 1808 due to illness.
War of 1812 and New Orleans
In 1813, Edward was given command of the frigate Armide. He served in the War of 1812 against the United States. His ship captured an American privateer and a French merchant ship.
In January 1815, during the fighting near New Orleans, Edward led the Naval Brigade. He was highly praised for his leadership and efforts during these operations. His ship, Armide, finished its service in May 1815.
Life After the Wars
After the wars, Edward bought an estate in Scotland, but he and his family lived in Europe for about 15 years. They returned to England in 1830.
In 1831, he was appointed commander-in-chief at Cork. However, he also decided to enter politics. He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Sandwich in May 1831. He spent a lot of time in Parliament, supporting important changes like the Reform Act 1832.
From 1831 to 1841, Edward also served as a naval aide-de-camp to King William IV and later to Queen Victoria. This was a special role advising the monarch on naval matters.
He continued to be re-elected as an MP for Sandwich in 1832, 1835, and 1841, serving until 1847. He also held important positions on the Board of Admiralty, which was in charge of running the Royal Navy.
Edward was honored for his service and made a Companion of the Order of the Bath by Queen Victoria in 1838. He was promoted to rear admiral in November 1841.
Sir Edward Troubridge passed away on October 7, 1852, in London.
Personal Life
On October 18, 1810, Edward Troubridge married Anna Maria Cochrane. Her father, Sir Alexander Cochrane, was also an Admiral. Edward and Anna Maria had four sons and three daughters. One of their sons, Thomas St. Vincent Hope Cochrane Troubridge, later became the 3rd Baronet. Another son, Edward Norwich Troubridge, also served in the Royal Navy but sadly died in China in 1850.
