Samuel Sutton
Samuel Sutton (1760 – June 1832) was an officer in the
Royal Navy. He entered the service shortly after the start of the American War of Independence, and spent most of his early career serving with Captain and later Admiral
Joshua Rowley. He saw action at several engagements with the French fleets in the
West Indies, and ended the war as a lieutenant. Left without active employment by the following years of peace, Sutton briefly returned to service during the
Spanish Armament in 1790, but the outbreak of the
French Revolutionary Wars in 1793 brought him steady work. After serving on a number of ships and being present at
Cornwallis's Retreat in 1795, Sutton received command of a sloop, and with it the opportunity to render a service to a member of the French aristocracy, and the future
Charles X of France. Promoted for his good service, Sutton served as a
flag captain to several admirals, including
Horatio Nelson. He briefly commanded , before surrendering her to
Thomas Hardy, who would go on to command ''Victory'' at
Trafalgar, and be present at Nelson's death. Sutton instead took command of a frigate, and in 1804 was involved in a controversial action that saw the capture of three Spanish frigates and the destruction of a fourth. Made wealthy from the spoils, Sutton nevertheless remained in the navy, taking part in the chase of the French fleet to the West Indies in 1805. His health declined during this period, and he went ashore in October that year. He retired from active service, and served as a magistrate and local official for his community, being promoted to
rear-admiral in 1821 and dying in 1832.
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