The Keith Papers: Vol. III Contributor(s): Lloyd, Christopher (Author) |
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ISBN: 1911423215 ISBN-13: 9781911423218 Publisher: Routledge OUR PRICE: $44.54 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: April 2019 * Not available - Not in print at this time * |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - History | Military - Naval - History | Europe - General |
Physical Information: 438 pages |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: George Keith Elphinstone, Lord Keith (1746-1823) was a Scottish naval officer who entered the navy as a penurious midshipman towards the end of the Seven Years War. He had a long career at sea, during which he missed taking part in any major battle, but held major commands throughout the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (except 1807-1812). Keith's career after the Peace of Amiens was marked by his skill in the complex command of very large fleets. He was disappointed that Nelson was given the command of the Mediterranean, but he was nevertheless the right man to command, between 1803 and 1807, the very large fleet which was assembled in the Channel and the North Sea to repel Napoleon's invasion threat. His command of detail was formidable. Here his problems were manning and difficulties with Sea Fencibles, convoy and maintaining the blockade of Brest, all of which are well illustrated by documents. Keith retired from active service in 1807, when he married for a second time, but in early 1812 he was appointed, at the age of sixty-six, as Commander in Chief, Channel Fleet. He spent much of the time ashore at Plymouth because of ill-health, but he was again successful at keeping complex operations moving, particularly with operations to support the armies in the Peninsular. There is a final section of documents illustrating the dramatic events surrounding the capture of Napoleon and his banishment to St Helena. |