Biography of Sir George Brydges Rodney
George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney, (13 February 1718 — 24 May 1792) was a British naval officer. He was best known for his tactical decision-making in the American War of Independence, particularly for the use of “Crossing the T” to defeat the French at the Battle of the Saintes in 1782. He died unexpectedly on May 23rd 1792.
Rodney joined the Royal Navy in 1732 where he was initially posted to the HMS Sunderland which had sixty guns. Two years later, he was reassigned to the HMS Dreadnought. By great skill and connections with prestigious individuals, Rodney was promoted on February 15 1739 to the rank lieutenant. Rodney took command of the HMS Plymouth (sixty guns) after success in the War of the Austrian Successful. In 1751, Rodney completed the duty of being commander-in-chief of Newfoundland. After purchasing an estate at Old Alresford, Rodney met and married Jane Compton, the sister of the Earl of Northampton. The couple had three children before Jane's death in 1757. In February 1781, Rodney and General John Vaughan captured the Dutch island of St. Eustatius. They were later accused of lollygagging to collect wealth instead of continuing military advancements. Later that year, Rodney defended himself in court then resumed his post in the Caribbean in February 1872. At that time, the French fleet was rendezvousing with a Spanish fleet to attack the British held island of Jamaica. Rodney positioned to engage the French fleet two months later. An initial scuffle occurred on April 9th but the real battle started on 12th April. Sir Admiral George Rodney utilized a new tactic called “Crossing the T” to break the French line. Much controversy follows the initial use of this tactic. This tactic resulted in the British fleet capturing the seven vessels of the French fleet including Comte De Grasse’s flagship the “Ville de Paris”. (Hickman, 2015)
This important battle saved Jamaica and ruined French naval prestige, while it enabled Rodney to write: "Within two little years I have taken two Spanish, one French and one Dutch admirals." (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2015.)