Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald, legendary British admiral, Philhellene and pioneer of marine technology and innovation

 

 

Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald (1775-1860), was a British admiral, a legendary seaman, one of the most emblematic and famous sailors of all time, a hero in Britain and Latin America, and a Philhellene. This diverse personality was a pioneer of naval strategy, but also an important inventor, whose plans and inventions were implemented for many years, even after his death.

He was born in Annsfield, near Hamilton in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was the eldest son of Archibald Cochrane, 9th Earl of Dundonald (1748 – 1831) and Anna Gilchrist, granddaughter of Major John Roberton, 16th Lord of Earnock[1]. His father was an inventor. Two of Thomas Cochrane’s brothers distinguished themselves as officers in the British Armed Forces.

The first was Major of Cavalry William Erskine Cochrane, who fought in the Napoleonic Wars as an officer in the 15th Dragon Regiment of the Royal Guard, under the command of Lieutenant General Sir John Moore[2]. The second was Archibald Cochrane Jr., who served as captain of the British Royal Navy[3].

Admiral Thomas Cochrane was a descendant of families with a strong military tradition. From his uncle, Admiral Alexander Inglis Cochrane, he was a cousin of the admiral and later governor of Newfoundland, Thomas John Cochrane (1789 – 1872)[4]. Under the influence of his uncle, Thomas Cochrane enlisted in the British Royal Navy on 23 July 1793 with the rank of ensign[5]. Initially, he served under the command of his uncle on the frigate “Hind”, which was chartering at the port of Sheerness[6]. When his uncle took command of the frigate “Thetis”, Cochrane followed him and visited Norway with him[7].

In order to highlight the prestige and the specific weight of the Cochrane family, it is important to remind here that Sir Alexander Cochrane commanded the British fleet against the USA in the war of 1812. Amongst other things, he recruited the first all-black marine corps to fight the Americans, and burnt all public buildings in Washington DC, including the White House.

In 1795, Thomas Cochrane was drafted into the North American and West Indies Squadron of the British Fleet and was promoted to the rank of sub -lieutenant[8]. On May 7, 1796, after examinations, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant[9]. In 1798 he was placed as a naval officer in the flagship of the Mediterranean fleet “HMS Barfleur”, under the command of Admiral George Keith Elphinstone, 1st Viscount Keith[10]. There he proved his leadership skills and courage in defeating piracy. He did not even hesitate to break with his provost, lieutenant commander Philip Beaver[11], as a result of which he was trialed by the Maritime Court. In this trial he was acquitted, and thus proved the correctness of his views[12]. This result, however, had the effect of acquiring a permanent enemy. Admiral John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent, who had lieutenant commander Beaver under his protection[13].

In February 1800, Cochrane captured the French corvette “Généreux”, which he drove to the British Mahon base in Minorca, Balearic Islands, Spain[14]. This success resulted in his promotion to captain and his appointment as captain at the brig “Speedy” on March 28, 1800[15]. In one of the operations he took part in on this ship, he was in danger of being captured by the Danish Royal Navy during a reconnaissance mission, as Denmark was an ally of the French[16]. But in the end the Danes did not capture his ship, so Cochrane and his crew escaped capture[17].

One of the most important acts of Cochrane, which made him internationally famous, was the capture of the Spanish frigate “El Gamo”, on May 6, 1801. This frigate had a crew of 319 men and was armed with 32 guns, when the Cochrane ship carried only 14 cannons and had a crew of 54 men[18]. Cochrane used a trick. He raised the American flag and came very close to the enemy frigate, so that its cannons could not fire against his ship[19]. Then the Spaniards lost their morale and surrendered with their ship, despite the fact that the balance of forces was 6 to 1[20].

 

 

Cochrane as commander of “Speedy”, managed to capture or destroy 53 ships within 13 months, resulting in being targeted by enemy forces. Thus 3 French warships (ancestors of the battleships), under the French Admiral Charles-Alexandre Linois, managed to capture him on July 3, 1801[21]. However, a few days later he returned to his country, after being exchanged with the officer of a French warship[22]. On August 28, 1801 he was promoted to the rank of commander[23].

After the Peace of Amiens, Cochrane received a postgraduate training at the University of Edinburgh[24]. In 1803, Admiral Jervis appointed him commander of the frigate “Arab”, which was a unit of the Metropolitan Fleet, and had taken over patrol duties between the Orkney Islands of Scotland and the Northern Sea^[25].

In 1804, when William Pitt Jr. was elected Prime Minister of Great Britain, Cochrane was ordered from the new Lord of the Admiralty Henry Dundas, 1st viscount of Melville, to command the newly built frigate “Pallas”[26].

In August 1806, he became commander of the frigate “Imperieuse”, which was originally a unit of the Spanish Royal Navy called the “Medea”[27], before joining the British fleet. At the same time, in October of the same year, Cochrane was elected Member of Parliament for Honiton[28]. Shortly afterwards, he resigned from this seat in May 1807 to be elected to the constituency of Westminster[29]. After being elected to Westminster, Cochrane joined the Liberal Party and, in collaboration with the Reform leaders William Cobbett, Francis Burdett (later a member of the Philhellenic Committee of London) and Henry Hunt, helped to reorganize the British Royal Navy[30].

In parallel with his political career, Cochrane continued to be the captain of the frigate “Imperieuse”, with which he conducted raids on the French shores of the Mediterranean, in the context of the Napoleonic Wars. In 1808, in collaboration with a group of Spanish rebels, he captured the fortress of Mogat, which controlled the Barcelona-Gerona road. This success contributed in delaying the operations of the French Army Corps commanded by the French general Guillaume Philibert, 1st Count Duhesme[31].

Following the capture of the Mogat Fortress, Cochrane took part in the defense of the Castell de la Trinitat in the city of Rosas, on the outskirts of Barcelona. In fact, Cochrane fought stubbornly and bravely, and left last when the battle was over[32].

Cochrane then received the rank of master and continued his action. Thus, between 11 and 24 April 1809, he took part in the British operations against the French fleet, and in fact played an important role in the naval battle of the Bay of Biscay in Spain[33], contributing to the British victory.

It is also worth mentioning here, another aspect of the multidimensional personality of this great officer and politician. From 1793 to 1818, Cochrane also distinguished himself as a science – inventor, who introduced many innovations in naval strategy and engineering. Indicatively, we note that in 1805, he proposed the change of the system of arrangement of ships in convoys. That is, instead of merchant ships being behind warships, Cochrane suggested that they be placed in the centre surrounded by warships. This idea provided greater security, and prevailed in the circles of the British Admiralty, which honoured Cochrane with a special prize[34].

Also in 1806, when Cochrane was captain of the frigate “Pallas”, he applied a system of engineering that added agility and flexibility to ships[35]. Finally, in 1818, in collaboration with the famous engineer Marc Isambard Brunel, he patented the tunnel shield, which contributed to the safe and fast opening of tunnels, reducing accidents at work[36].

Another important aspect of his life is the following. Thomas Cochrane faced a major judicial adventure in 1814, and it took many years of effort to restore his reputation. One day, an unexpected piece of news surprised the public. Thomas Cochrane, one of Britain’s greatest naval heroes, was accused for a stock market fraud. The story is as follows. At that time, three swindlers appeared, posing as French royalist officers and convinced City stockbrokers that Napoleon had been defeated and was dead. This information was considered reliable, and boosted the price of gold. In fact, members of this gang crossed the London Bridge in a closed carriage and distributed leaflets that read in French “Long live the King and the Bourbons”. At the same time, another member of the gang announced in Dover that Napoleon’s forces had been decimated by the Cossacks (although this news did not reach London before the fraud was uncovered).

Some profited from this situation to the detriment of investors, some of whom suffered great losses. An investigation then took place which also attributed responsibilities to Thomas Cochrane. A trial followed which sentenced him to one year in prison. The public that adored the great national hero, rebelled and he was later released to avoid incidents. The government was also alarmed by the fact that Burdett, Cochrane’s friend had sided with him. In fact, Castlereagh had banned the publication of Cochrane’s speech to the Parliament when he was excluded further to a vote. Six months later, Napoleon himself, exiled to the island of Elba, stated the following when he learned of this story: “Such a man should not have been subjected to such humiliating punishment”.

Following his dismissal from Parliament, repeat elections took place to fill his vacant seat in Westminster County. The anger of the people was great for this persecution, which was considered a political conspiracy. The 5,000 voters who gathered to announce the candidates, chanted rhythmically ‘Cochrane – Cochrane – forever’, resulting in the withdrawal of all three candidates and the re-election of Cochrane on July 16, 1814; just 26 days after his conviction. Cochrane remained a Member of Parliament and was constantly fighting for political reform in Great Britain until 1818, when he left for South America.

After his expulsion from the House of Commons, he was stripped of his knighthood. It took him many years to restore his honour. So in 1832 he won a royal pardon, and was restored as a rear admiral. Twelve years later Queen Victoria returned to Thomas Cochrane also his title of knight.

This case has been the subject of much academic research until recently and many views have been expressed. According to common sense, however, Thomas Cochrane, a famous man with a huge reputation, had no reason to engage in such a foolish and gross fraud that could be revealed in a few days, if not hours. On the other hand, these brazen swindlers had every reason to try to use his name. Finally, for many of Thomas Cochrane’s enemies, this conspiracy was an opportunity to neutralize him politically. Most interestingly, however, public opinion remained loyal to their national hero Thomas Cochrane. It worth noting that when he was fined by a Court with 100 GBP, and he refused to pay it, insisting on his innocence, the people raised the amount pen to pen, and paid it in his name.

On November 28, 1818, Cochrane was demobilized and permanently retired from politics. His restless and adventurous spirit, however, sought new outlets and new fields of action.

So when Chilean leader Bernardo O’Higgins asked him to organize the Chilean Navy, he accepted the mission, and travelled to Valparaíso[37]. In Chile he received Chilean citizenship on December 11, 1818, and was appointed vice-admiral and first commander of the Chilean Navy[38].

Cochrane organized the Chilean Navy, modelled on the British Royal Navy, commanded by the fleet’s flagship, the frigate “O ‘Higgins”. Thus, thanks to his actions, Chile gained a significant advantage over the Spanish Pacific Fleet. Very quickly, the Chilean fleet cut off Spanish communications and captured the city of Valdivia on February 4, 1820[39].

 

 

Following the occupation of Valdivia, Cochrane was ordered to blockade the coast of Peru so that the army of Argentine leader Jose de San Martin could safely cross Chile and reinforce O’Higgins’ forces[40]. This mission was a success. In fact, on November 5, 1820, Cochrane captured the Spanish frigate “Esmeralda”[41].

With his actions and skills, Cochrane helped decisively the struggle for independence of Peru and Chile. The emblematic admiral has always been honoured by the Chilean government. Among other things, Chile named after him two warships in 1879 and 1913, two destroyers in 1962 and 1984, and a frigate in 2006. Every May, Chilean Navy representatives lay a wreath at his tomb on Westminster Abbey.

A majestic monument has been erected in his honour in Chile.

 

 

After Chile and Peru, Cochrane took new action in the Brazilian Revolution proclaimed by the Viceroy, Prince Peter of Braganza (and later Emperor of Brazil), against the central Portuguese administration, on September 7, 1821. Cochrane was appointed on March 21, 1823, commander of the Brazilian Imperial Navy, which was formed after the revolution[42].

The Brazilian fleet, led by Cochrane and his flagship the frigate “Pedro I”, had significant success here as well. So on May 4, 1823, Cochrane besieged the shores of Bahia, defeated the Portuguese Royal Navy and forced the Portuguese to leave the area[43]. He then sailed to the state of Maranhão, from which the Portuguese withdrew without resistance. Cochrane had now acquired such prestige that just hearing his name was enough to lower the enemy’s morale. Upon his arrival, it was rumoured that powerful troops of the Brazilian rebels were invading[44]. Shortly afterwards, Cochrane sent Captain John Pascoe Grenfell to Belem, where the Portuguese forces again withdrew[45].

Thanks to the actions of Cochrane, Brazil became an independent state. For his actions, the Brazilian emperor Peter I honoured him with the title of Marquis of Maranhão in 1824[46].

 

 

At the end of his mission in Brazil, Cochrane, returned on November 10, 1825 to Great Britain. There he was informed about the course of the Greek Revolution, and began correspondence with the distinguished Swiss Philhellene and banker Jean – Gabriel Eynard (1775 – 1863), in order to inform him about the situation and what was happening in Greece[47]. This correspondence, as well as his personal contact with members of the Philhellenic Committees, convinced him to take on a military role in Greece.

For this purpose, Eynard and the Philhellenic Committee of Paris provided Cochrane with the brig “Sotir”, with which he finally travelled to Greece in February 1827, accompanied by his nephew and secretary George Sutton Cochrane. In fact, on this trip he also accompanied the last instalment of the second English loan[48] to Greece.

Cochrane supported the proposal of the other great Philhellene Frank Abney Hastings, which was for Greece to acquire a fleet of modern warships, which would belong to the state. Cochrane had understood that domination at sea was a basic condition for the success of the Greek Revolution. And this could not be based on the occasional rental of private ships. Especially when from 1825 – 1826 onwards, the Turkish-Egyptians had developed a very powerful fleet, which could not withstand the small Greek ships and the tactics of the first years of the Greek Revolution. Thus it was agreed to build 6 steamships. Thomas Cochrane and Frank Abney Hastings contributed in the design of these ships[49]. When the Greek government received the first wheeled warship “Karteria”, the Greek Navy was, along with the US Navy, the first in the world to use steam-powered warships[50].

When he arrived in Greece, Cochrane tried to revive the morale of the Greeks. Note here that Cochrane was a world legend, who the public believed was capable of performing miracles. Napoleon himself had given him the nickname “sea-wolf”. This fame enlivened the Greek revolutionaries and terrorized the Ottomans. From the end of 1826, the central topic of discussion in Greece was whether and when Cochrane would come. As soon as his decision to take a leading role in Greece was announced, the interest rate on Greek loans fell by 15%. Cochrane had already started offering to Greece.

Indicative of his intentions, is an emblematic proclamation issued by Cochrane on April 12, 1827. In it he called on the Greeks “to block the Hellespont and thus to succeed in defeating the Sultan under the Turks, to destroy by itself the Ottoman power and then the holy flag of the Cross will wave again over the Temple of Agia Sophia“.

In Greece, Cochrane contacted and began consultations with Theodoros Kolokotronis and the British general Richard Church (who had taken over as commander of the Greek Army). He was also in contact with British Admiral Rowan Hamilton. During this period, the third National Assembly took place in Troizina on March 19, 1827[51]. Cochrane was appointed commander of the Greek Fleet[52]. His objective was to cooperate with the commander of the Greek Army Richard Church, in order to strengthen Karaiskakis forces, who fought in Faliro and Keratsini, to end the siege of the Acropolis in Athens. It is recalled that in this phase the Turkish forces had occupied all the cities of Central Greece, and all the hearths of the Revolution had been extinguished. Only the besieged Acropolis remained under Greek control in mainland Greece, and in the Peloponnese only Nafplio and the islands of the Saronic Gulf. This situation, combined with Ibrahim’s supremacy in the Peloponnese, were affecting dramatically the efforts of Greeks and Philhellenes in Europe to gain diplomatic support for the struggle.

The first strategic goal was to expel the Turks from Athens and to strengthen the besieged Greeks on the Acropolis. In mainland Greece, and especially in Attica, the Turks had deployed a strong army. At the same time, they were favoured by the morphology of the ground, which was an open battlefield. Thus, this mission was particularly difficult, despite the fact that the Greeks had gathered a significant force, which was supported by modern and combat-ready warships of the Greek navy (among them the frigate “Hellas” and the steamer “Karteria”). Indeed, mainly thanks to Cochrane’s fame, more than 10,000 fighters had gathered. Cochrane and Church proposed a battle plan based on regular army operations and practices. Unfortunately, only a small part of the Greek forces had received the appropriate training for such a thing. Both in this case and in many others, from Peta to Karystos and Chios, the forces of the Greek irregular fighters did not follow the orders, the instructions of engagement and the discipline required in the army. They withdrew from their positions at the most critical moments of the battle, as a result of which the Greeks and Philhellenes of the Regular Army were abandoned, surrounded by the enemy and decimated.

General Karaiskakis was aware of this problem, and had proposed a guerrilla warfare plan, without a frontal confrontation, with the aim of forcing the Turks to leave voluntarily. This plan, however, required a lot of time, which was not offered. The besieged Greeks on the Acropolis were exhausted and their surrender was a matter of weeks or days. On the other hand, the Treaty of London was expected to impose a cease of fire and hostilities. So it was important for the Greeks to take immediately control, at least of the Attica region.

The plan that was finally implemented, unfortunately led the Greek forces to a great defeat and significant losses, with the leading one being the body of the Philhellenes and Karaiskakis himself[53].

After the disbandment of the Greek Regular Army in Attica, Cochrane in collaboration with Church, took care of the rescue of the scattered men. He arranged for their gathering in Faliro and Piraeus, their boarding of ships and then organized their transport to Salamis, where after a while most of the Greek troops were assembled[54].

Despite the defeat of the Greek forces in the battle of Analatos, Cochrane did not stop his action. He designed and executed many operations, both for himself and for the units of the fleet under his command. In July 1827, he organized an operation that led to the seizure of an important Egyptian corvette, which was delivered to the Greek Fleet under the name “Hydra”[55]. He then organized an operation in the Ionian Sea, targeting the Turkish-Egyptian fleet. The fleets of the three great powers, under the command of the British Admiral Codrington, had also gathered there. Their mission was to implement the Treaty of London, which called for an end to hostilities. Codrington, who had served under the command of Cochrane’s uncle, asked him to withdraw from the Ionian Sea and remain in the Aegean Sea, in order not to offer Ibrahim arguments for violating the Treaty of London. Admiral Codrington also knew that he would put an end to the Turkish-Egyptian fleet by himself. With the intervention of Cochrane, Cordington agreed to accept a squadron of the Greek fleet consisting of 6 ships, under the great Philhellene Frank Abney Hastings, to remain in the Ionian sea. This squadron was assigned the mission to blockade Patras, and to disband the Turkish fleet in the Gulf of Corinth. Thus, in September 1827, with his flagship “Karteria”, Hastings neutralized the entire Turkish fleet in the Corinthian Gulf, at the Battle of Itea. At the same time, Codrington agreed with Cochrane to allow General Church to undertake large-scale operations in mainland Greece. These moves were crucial to support the plan to liberate western mainland Greece. This mission was supported by the great Philhellene Hastings, since he had now neutralized the Turkish fleet in the area[56]. The road to the liberation of western mainland Greece was open.

However, Cochrane had planned other very daring missions. One was a plot to capture Ibrahim Pascha himself. Another concerned a naval campaign of the Greek fleet in Alexandria, aimed at the total destruction of the Egyptian fleet of Mohammed Ali (May 25 – June 5, 1827). Konstantinos Kanaris had also attempted this daring action on August 10, 1825, unfortunately without success.

In this regard, one of the first operations planned by Cochrane after taking command of the Greek fleet, was an ambitious campaign in Egypt, aimed at destroying the fleet of Mohammed Ali, which would interrupt for months the supply of troops in the Peloponnese.

 

 

In fact, during this period, an anonymous letter was sent to Hydra from Alexandria, written in Italian, informing the Greeks that at the end of May, the Turkish-Egyptian fleet was preparing to occupy Hydra. Cochrane took this opportunity to design an impressive operation, that would boost the morale of the Greeks. Thus, on May 25, 1827, he assembled the Greek fleet in Kythira. The frigate Hellas, the steamer ‘’Karteria’’, the brig ‘’Sotir’’, ten ships from Spetses (with their captains Georgios Androutsos, Theodosios Botasis, Anagnostis Kyriakos, Nikolaos Raptis, Emmanouil Lazarou, Giorgos  Panou, Ioanni Tsoupa, Andreas Santos, Ioannis Pantelis, and Nikolaos Tsohantaris), ten ships from Hydra (with their captains Andreas Miaoulis, Georgios Sachtouris, Ioannis Lalehos, Antonios Rafalias, Antonios Kriezis, Georgios Sachinis, Lazaros Pinotsis, L. Panagiotou, Theodoros Gionis and Giorgos Lalehos), and eight fireships commanded by Konstantinos Kanaris, Georgios Voudouris, M. Anastasiou, Andreas Papapanos, G. Kaminis, Dimitrios Poriotis, Pantelis Spyrou and Andreas Boutis.

The Greek squadron reached Alexandria without encountering any resistance. According to Cochrane’s plan, the fireships would proceed to the port, selecting Egyptian ships as targets. The Greek fleet would remain outside the port, ready to receive the crews of the fireships. In fact, Cochrane had designed the camouflage of the ships of his fleet, which had been transformed into commercial ones. The frigate “Hellas” had raised the flag of Sardinia, and was acting as a ship escorting and protecting merchant ships.

On June 4, 1827 everything was ready and the operation began. Unfortunately, the captain of an Egyptian ship patrolling outside the port of Alexandria, suspected that they were Greek ships and tried to enter the port to sound the alarm. In this endeavour he was forced into shallow water at the entrance of the port. Two Greek fireships were forced to turn against it instead of pursuing their targeted Egyptian ships. They managed to burn it, but they were neutralized themselves. The incident was immediately noticed by the coast guard which signalled a general alarm.

The precious time lost deprived the element of surprise. At the same time, there was a calm that stuck the fireships at the entrance of the port, while the entire naval squadron remained overnight outside the port of Alexandria. On the morning of June 5, the Greek ships left for Rhodes without losses.

One of the main problems that Cochrane faced, was the complete lack of discipline of the Greek sailors, who had not received relevant training. This deprived him of the ability to command his fleet as he saw fit. Frictions and conflicts with the Greek administration ensued, and finally Cochrane left Greece in December 1827, with his nephew and secretary George Sutton Cochrane. However, he remained always interested in developments in Greece[57], until the end of his life. Another important element is that his action also contributed towards the alliance of Great Britain, France and Russia, which led to the Battle of Navarino on October 20, 1827, where the Turkish-Egyptian fleet was defeated, paving the way for the international recognition of Greek Independence[58].

In 1828, he returned temporarily to Greece, in order to allocate part of the fee he had agreed to receive from the Greek Administration, to care for naval war invalids. In the end, he did not reach an agreement with the Greek Government[59]. Greek literature often mentions the great Philhellenic Thomas Cochrane negatively. He is mainly accused because he allegedly imposed a wrong strategy in the Battle of Athens and for the large compensation that he received (37,000 pounds).

A dispassionate examination of the historical events of the time, however, gives a different picture. Cochrane demanded that the Turks be expelled directly from Athens, because he knew that the Treaty of London was expected, and that the Greek state would be able to claim only the territories it held or in which the Revolution was active. The plan of the battle in Attica would not be wrong if the Greek forces had acted with discipline, like a regular army.

Thomas Cochrane’s salary was high. But he could have received an even higher reward if he had agreed to offer his services elsewhere. The connection of Cochrane’s name with the struggle of the Greeks alone, had a huge impact on the international public opinion of the time and on the strengthening of the Philhellenic movement. In any case, only the value of the warship “Hydra”, which was captured and delivered to the Greek Administration, was much higher than his compensation.

In conclusion, the contribution of the legendary sea-wolf to Greece was positive.

Thomas’s nephew, George Cochrane, wrote a particularly interesting book about Greece and life after its liberation.

 

 

On July 1, 1831, Cochrane succeeded his father as 10th Earl of Dundonald, and on May 2, 1832, he returned to the British Royal Navy, being promoted to rear admiral.

As mentioned above, Cochrane continued his father’s tradition, and was an important scientist and inventor who promoted new technologies and practices. He focused on shipping because of his experiences. His work, however, covered other areas, and in fact with great success. His father had founded a company that researched, designed and produced various carbon by-products, tar and varnishes for shipbuilding and maintenance. Actually, his father held the 1st patent for extraction of Oil/Gas.

In 1805 Cochrane won a prize and 50 GDP in a Naval contest for the construction of a specialized and advanced lantern with the aim that ships participating in convoys could safely follow the advancing vessels. In 1812 he presented a plan to attack port forts by combining bombing, sending explosive ships, launching chemical gases, and then landing troops.

Another technique he used was the smoke screen, which was kept a secret weapon until 1914.

In 1818 he undertook, together with the famous British engineer Marc Isambard Brunel, a project to strengthen the underground tunnel in Blackwall that passed under the Thames. This technique has been used to build many underground tunnels internationally. He then designed a pioneering ship (the ‘’Rising Star’’ or ‘’Sun’’), which carried a sail, two 45-horsepower engines, 2 chimneys and an internal wheel. In the 1830s, Cochrane conducted research into the design of a rotary engine and the use of propellers on ships. Also in 1851 he completed the studies and plans for the movement of steamships with fuel based on asphalt (instead of coal), a technique that he patented. Another naval design, codenamed Mosquito Fleet, combined the use of torpedo boats and gunboats.

His work in the field of engineering was widely recognized. Thus in 1857 he was honoured with the title of honorary member of the Scottish Foundation of Engineers and Shipbuilders. His inventions also had civil applications. For example, he had designed a system for street lighting and the installation of piping networks for the transport of liquids. Many of his ideas were implemented many decades after his death. A typical example is the use of compressed air for excavations. Cochrane had invented the well-known compressors, which were first used to open an underground tunnel under the Hudson River in New York[60].

On November 23, 1841, Cochrane was promoted to vice admiral, and on May 22, 1847, Queen Victoria of Great Britain honoured him with the title of Knight of the Order of the Bath for his military and social services[61].

 

 

From 1848 to 1851, he was appointed commander of the British Navy’s North American and West Indian Squadron. At the same time he was promoted to the rank of admiral of third class[62]. On April 2, 1853, he was promoted to second-class admiral in the British Royal Navy. He was eventually demobilized as a first class admiral on December 8, 1857. At the same time he was elected an honorary member of the Scottish Institute of Engineers and Shipbuilders[63]. He died in Kensington on October 31, 1860, at the age of 85 and was buried in Westminster Abbey[64]. He was succeeded as the 11th Earl of Dundonald by his eldest son, retired captain Thomas Barnes Cochrane (1814-1885)[65].

Sir Lyon Playfair wrote his epitaph which reads: “Here rests in his 85th year Thomas Cochrane Tenth Earl of Dundonald of Paisley and of Ochiltree in the Peerage of Scotland .Marquess of Maranhao  in the Empire of Brazil GCB and Admiral of the Fleet who by his confidence and genius his science and extraordinary daring inspired by his heroic exertion in the cause of freedom and his splended services alike to his own country, Greece, Brazil, Chile and Peru achieved a name illustrious throughout the world for courage, patriotism and chivalry. Born Dec 14 1775. Died Oct 31 1860 “.

The life of Thomas Cochrane inspired a number of literary works. For the first time in 1897 a novel appeared in G.A Henty’s entitled “With Cochrane the Dauntless”. Cochrane also starred in Showell Styles’ “The Lord of the Sea” (originally ‘’The Commander’’). He is also one of the main characters in Bernard Cornwell’s novel ‘’Sharpe’s Devil’’, which chronicles Cochrane’s attack on the Chilean port of Valdivia. Another novel is about Cochrane and the South American revolutions. Robert Brightwell’s novel “Flashman and the Seawolf” is based on the life of Cochrane, and in 1967 Pablo Neruda published a collection of poems entitled “Lord Cochrane de Chile”, inspired by his contribution to the struggle for the liberation of Chile. Cochrane’s life also inspired a number of fictional nautical stories, one of which was by Frederick Marryat. In the 20^th century, two novels of C.S. Forester (starring Horatio Hornblower) and Patrick O’Brian (starring Jack Aubrey in the Aubrey-Maturin series of novels), had as their main action line, the life of the great sea-wolf.

Finally, the emblematic 2003 film “Master and Commander”, starring Russell Crowe, is based on the legend of the great Admiral Thomas Cochrane (from the novels of Patrick O’Brian – Maturin).

 

 

For his contribution to the Greek war for independence, his name was given after him to a street in Athens.

SHP honours the memory of the great Admiral Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald, who, in addition to being an emblematic figure of Philhellenism, supported many peoples who fought for their freedom, while at the same time emerging as an innovator in marine technology and science.

 

 

References

[1] Chaloner, William H., “People And Industries” , εκδ. Routledge, Λονδίνο, 1963, σελ. 55-56.
[2] Moore, James Carrick, ”Life of sir John Moore”, εκδ. John Murray, Λονδίνο, 1833, β’ τόμος.
[3] “Cochrane, Archibald”, εκδ. περ. “The Gentleman’s Magazine”, Λονδίνο, Ιούλιος 1831.
[4] Heathcote, Tony, ”The British Admirals of the Fleet 1734 – 1995”, εκδ. Pen & Sword, Λονδίνο, 2002.
[5], Cordingly, David, ”Cochrane The Dauntless: The Life and Adventures of Thomas Cochrane“, εκδ. Bloomsbury Publishing, Νέα Υόρκη, 2007.
[6] Gardiner, Robert, ”The First Frigates”, εκδ. Conway Maritime Press, Λονδίνο,1992
[7] Cochrane, Thomas, 10^ος κόμης του Dundonald, ”The Autobiography of a Seaman”, εκδ. Lyons Press, Νέα Υόρκη, 2000.
[8] Cochrane, Iain, 14^ος κόμης του Dundonald, Cochrane, Alexander ”The Fighting Cochranes: A Scottish Clan over six hundred years of naval and military history”, εκδ. Quiller Press, Λονδίνο, 1983.
[9] Harvey, Robert ”Cochrane: The Life and Exploits of a Fighting Captain”, εκδ. Carroll & Graf, Νέα Υόρκη, 2000.
[10] Chisholm, Hugh, “Keith, George Keith Elphinstone, Viscount”, εκδ. Cambridge University Press, Λονδίνο, 1911, 15^ος τόμος “Encyclopædia Britannica”, σελ. 716.
[11] Laughton, J. K., “Beaver, Philip (1766-1813)”, εκδ. Oxford University Press, Λονδίνο, 2008.
[12] Cordingly, David, “Cochrane The Dauntless: The Life and Adventures of Thomas Cochrane“, εκδ. Bloomsbury Publishing, Νέα Υόρκη, 2007.
[13] Brenton, Edward Pelham, “Life and Correspondence of John, Earl of St Vincent, G. C. B., Admiral of the Fleet”, εκδ. Henry Colburn, Λονδίνο, 1838, β’ τόμος, σελ. 81.
[14] Cochrane, Thomas, 10^ος κόμης του Dundonald, ”The Autobiography of a Seaman”, εκδ. Lyons Press, Νέα Υόρκη, 2000.
[15] Adkins, Roy, Adkins, Lesley, ”The War for all the Oceans: From Nelson at the Nile to Napoleon at Waterloo”, εκδ. Abacus, Λονδίνο, 2007.
[16] McGilchrist, John, ”The Life and Daring Exploits of Lord Dundonald”, εκδ. James Blackwood, Λονδίνο, 1861.
[17] Thomas, Donald, ”Cochrane: Britannia’s Sea Wolf”, εκδ. Cassell Military Paperbacks, Λονδίνο, 2001.
[18] Cochrane, Iain, 14^ος κόμης του Dundonald, Cochrane, Alexander, ”The Fighting Cochranes: A Scottish Clan over six hundred years of naval and military history”, εκδ. Quiller Press, Λονδίνο, 1983.
[19] Εφ. “The London Gazette”, Λονδίνο, 8 Ιανουαρίου 1801, φύλλο 15393.
[20] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[21] Vale, Brian, ”The Audacious Admiral Cochrane”, εκδ. Conway Maritime Press, Λονδίνο, 2004.
[22] Grimble, Ian, “The Sea Wolf: The Life of Admiral Cochrane“, εκδ. Birlinn, Εδιμβούργο, 2000.
[23] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[24] Lloyd, Christopher, ”Lord Cochrane. Seaman, Radical, Liberator. – A Life of Thomas Lord Cochrane 10th Earl of Dundonald. 1775–1860”, εκδ. Owl Books, Λονδίνο, 1998.
[25] James, William, ”The Naval History of Great Britain, from the Declaration of War by France in 1793, to the Accession of George IV”, εκδ. R. Bentley, Λονδίνο, 1837.
[26] Cordingly, David, ”Cochrane The Dauntless: The Life and Adventures of Thomas Cochrane“, εκδ. Bloomsbury Publishing, Νέα Υόρκη, 2007.
[27] Winfield, Rif, “British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817”, εκδ. Seaforth Publishing, Barnsley, 2014.
[28] Cochrane, Thomas, 10^ος κόμης του Dundonald, ”The Autobiography of a Seaman”, εκδ. Lyons Press, Νέα Υόρκη, 2000.
[29] Lloyd, Christopher, ”Lord Cochrane. Seaman, Radical, Liberator. – A Life of Thomas Lord Cochrane 10th Earl of Dundonald. 1775–1860”, εκδ. Owl Books, Λονδίνο, 1998.
[30], Cordingly, David, ”Cochrane The Dauntless: The Life and Adventures of Thomas Cochrane “, εκδ. Bloomsbury Publishing, Νέα Υόρκη, 2007.
[31] Chandler, David G., ,”The Campaigns of Napoleon”, εκδ. Macmillan, Νέα Υόρκη, 1966.
[32] Reay, Justin, “A Place of Considerable Importance: Lord Cochrane at the Siege of Rosas 1808”, εκδ. περ. “The Mariner’s Mirror”, Λονδίνο, Νοέμβριος 2009.
[33] Tracy, Nicholas, ”Who’s Who in Nelson’s Navy; 200 Naval Heroes“, εκδ. Chatham Publishing, Λονδίνο, 1998.
[34], Cordingly, David, ”Cochrane The Dauntless: The Life and Adventures of Thomas Cochrane“, εκδ. Bloomsbury Publishing, Νέα Υόρκη, 2007.
[35] Cochrane, Iain, 14^ος κόμης του Dundonald, Cochrane, Alexander, ”The Fighting Cochranes: A Scottish Clan over six hundred years of naval and military history”, εκδ. Quiller Press, Λονδίνο, 1983.
[36] Kentley, Eric, Hulse, Robert, Elton, Julia, “The Brunel’s Tunel”, εκδ. Institution of Civil Engineers, Λονδίνο, 2006.
[37] Vale, Brian, “Cochrane in the Pacific: Fortune and Freedom in Spanish America”, εκδ. I.B.Tauris, Νέα Υόρκη, 2008.
[38] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[39] Contreras, Gonzalo, ”Lord Cochrane bajo la bandera de Chile”, εκδ. Editorial Zig-Zag, Santiago, 1993.
[40] Lynch, John, “San Martín: Argentine Soldier, American Hero”, εκδ. Yale University Press, New Haven, 2009.
[41] Pérez Turrado, Gaspar, “Las Marinas realista y Patriota en la independencia de Chile y Perú”, εκδ. Ministerio de Defensa, Μαδρίτη, 1996.
[42] Macaulay, Neill, ”Dom Pedro: The Struggle for Liberty in Brazil and Portugal, 1798–1834”, εκδ. Duke University Press, Durham, 1986.
[43] Cochrane, Thomas, 10^ος κόμης του Dundonald, ”Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chile, Peru, and Brazil from Spanish and Portuguese Domination”, εκδ. James Ridgway, Λονδίνο, 1859.
[44] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[45] Vale, Brian, “Independence or Death! British Sailors and Brazilian Independence”, Λονδίνο, εκδ. I B Tauris, 2000.
[46] St Clair, William, ”That Greece Might Still be Free: The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Book, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ. 305.
[47] Θεμελή – Κατηφόρη, Δέσποινα, “Το γαλλικό ενδιαφέρον για την Ελλάδα στην περίοδο του Καποδίστρια 1828-1831”, εκδ. Επικαιρότητα, Αθήνα, 1985.
[48] Τρικούπης, Σπυρίδων, ”Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Επαναστάσεως”, εκδ. Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 2007, δ’ τόμος, σελ.118.
[49] Παπασωτηρίου, Χαράλαμπος, ”Ο αγώνας για την ελληνική ανεξαρτησία. Πολιτική και στρατηγική των Ελλήνων και της Οθωμανικής Αυτοκρατορίας 1821-1832”, εκδ. Ι. Σιδέρης, Αθήνα, 1996, σελ.184.
[50] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[51] ”Τα αρχεία της Ελληνικής Παλιγγενεσίας”, εκδ. Βιβλιοθήκη της Βουλής των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 1971, γ’ τόμος, σελ. 421.
[52] “Αρχεία της Ελληνικής Παλιγγενεσίας”, εκδ. Βιβλιοθήκη της Βουλής των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 1971, γ’ τόμος, σελ. 410.
[53] Κουτσονίκας, Λάμπρος, “Γενική ιστορία της ελληνικής επαναστάσεως”, εκδ. Δ. Καρακατζάνη, Αθήνα, 1863, δ’ τόμος, σελ. 331.
[54] Χρυσανθόπουλος, Φώτιος (Φωτάκος), “Βίοι Πελοποννησίων ανδρών και των εξώθεν εις την
Πελοπόννησον ελθόντων κληρικών, στρατιωτικών και πολιτικών των αγωνισαμένων τον αγώνα της επαναστάσεως”, εκδ. Π. Δ. Σακελλαρίου, Αθήνα, 1888, σελ. 260.
[55] Cochrane, George, ”Wanderings in Greece”, εκδ. Henry Colburn, Λονδίνο, 1837, α’ τόμος, σελ. 106.
[56] Συλλογικό, “Ιστορία του Ελληνικού Έθνους“, εκδ. Εκδοτική Αθηνών, Αθήνα, 2000, 12^ος τόμος, σελ. 466.
[57]Cordingly, David, ”Cochrane The Dauntless: The Life and Adventures of Thomas Cochrane “, εκδ. Bloomsbury Publishing, Νέα Υόρκη, 2007.
[58] Gallant, Thomas, “The Edinburgh history of the Greeks, 1768 to 1913: the long nineteenth century”, εκδ. Edinburgh University Press, Εδιμβούργο, 2015.
[59] Anderson, R. C., ”Naval wars in the Levant, 1559-1853”, εκδ. Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1952, σελ. 534.
[60] Cordingly, David, ”Cochrane The Dauntless: The Life and Adventures of Thomas Cochrane “, εκδ. Bloomsbury Publishing, Νέα Υόρκη, 2007.
[61] Cochrane, Iain, 14^ος κόμης του Dundonald, Cochrane, Alexander, ”The Fighting Cochranes: A Scottish Clan over six hundred years of naval and military history”, εκδ. Quiller Press, Λονδίνο, 1983.
[62] Cochrane, Thomas, 10^ος κόμης του Dundonald, “The Autobiography of a Seaman”, εκδ. Lyons Press, Νέα Υόρκη, 2000.
[63] Lloyd, Christopher, ”Lord Cochrane. Seaman, Radical, Liberator. – A Life of Thomas Lord Cochrane 10th Earl of Dundonald. 1775–1860”, εκδ. Owl Books, Λονδίνο, 1998.
[64] Cochrane, Iain, 14^ος κόμης του Dundonald, Cochrane, Alexander, ”The Fighting Cochranes: A Scottish Clan over six hundred years of naval and military history”, εκδ. Quiller Press, Λονδίνο, 1983.
[65] Βλ. στο ίδιο.

 

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• Gallant, Thomas, “The Edinburgh history of the Greeks, 1768 to 1913: the long nineteenth century”, εκδ. Edinburgh University Press, Εδιμβούργο, 2015.
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• Vale, Brian, “Independence or Death! British Sailors and Brazilian Independence”, Λονδίνο, εκδ. I B Tauris, 2000.
• Cochrane, Thomas, 10^ος κόμης του Dundonald, “Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chile, Peru, and Brazil from Spanish and Portuguese Domination”, εκδ. James Ridgway, Λονδίνο, 1859.
• Macaulay, Neill, “Dom Pedro: The Struggle for Liberty in Brazil and Portugal, 1798–1834”, εκδ. Duke University Press, Durham, 1986.
• Kentley, Eric, Hulse, Robert, Elton, Julia, “The Brunel’s Tunel”, εκδ. Institution of Civil Engineers, Λονδίνο, 2006.
• Vale, Brian, “Cochrane in the Pacific: Fortune and Freedom in Spanish America.”, εκδ. Νέα Υόρκη, 2008.
• Contreras, Gonzalo, “Lord Cochrane bajo la bandera de Chile”, εκδ. Editorial Zig-Zag, Santiago, 1993.
• Lynch, John, “San Martín: Argentine Soldier, American Hero”, εκδ. Yale University Press, New Haven, 2009.
• Pérez Turrado, Gaspar, “Las Marinas realista y Patriota en la independencia de Chile y Perú”, εκδ. Ministerio de Defensa, Μαδρίτη, 1996.
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