Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke

Admiral of the Fleet Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke KB, PC (February 21, 1705 – October 16, 1781) is a Royal Navy officer.

As captain of the third-rate HMS Berwick he takes part in the Battle of Toulon in February 1744 during the War of the Austrian Succession.

He also captures six ships of a French squadron in the Bay of Biscay in the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre in October 1747.

Hawke goes on to achieve a victory over a French fleet at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in November 1759 during the Seven Years' War, preventing a French invasion of Britain.

He develops the concept of a Western Squadron, keeping an almost continuous blockade of the French coast throughout the war.

Hawke also serves as First Lord of the Admiralty for five years between 1766 and 1771.

In this post, he is successful in bringing the navy's spending under control and also oversees the mobilization of the navy during the Falklands Crisis in 1770.

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