Sidney Smith (admiral)

Sir William Sidney Smith KCB (21 June, 1764 – 26 May, 1840) was the British admiral of whom Napoleon Bonaparte said, "That man made me miss my destiny".

Further service in the Mediterranean

In November 1805, Smith was promoted to Rear Admiral, he was again sent to the Mediterranean under the command of Collingwood who had become the commander-in-chief following Nelson's death. Collingood sent him to assist King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies regain his capital of Naples from Napoleon's brother King Joseph who had been given the kingdom of Naples.

Related Topics:
Rear Admiral - Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies - King Joseph - Naples

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Smith planned a campaign using Calabrian irregular troops with a force of 5,000 British officers and men to march north on Naples. On July 4, 1806, they defeated a larger French force at the Battle of Maida. Once again, Smith's inability to avoid offending his superiors caused him to be replaced as commander of the land forces despite his success. He was replaced by Sir John Moore, one of Britain's more able soldiers. Moore abandoned Smith's plan and resorted to making the island of Sicily a strong British base in the Mediterranean.

Related Topics:
July 4 - 1806 - Battle of Maida - John Moore - Sicily

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Smith was sent to join Admiral Sir John Duckworth's expedition to Constantinople in February 1807. This was intended to forestall the French from making an alliance with the Turks to alow free passage of their army to Egypt. Despite Smith's great experience in Turkish waters, his knowledge of the Turkish court and his personal popularity with the Turks, he was kept in a subordinate role. Even when Duckworth eventually did asked for his advice, it was not heeded. Duckworth, instead of allowing Smith to negotiate with the Turks, which the French ambassador later said would have been the end of the French overtures, retreated back through the Dardanelles under heavy Turkish fire. Although this was a defeat, the withdrawal under fire was played up as a heroic feat. In the summer of 1807, Duckworth and Smith were recalled to England.

Related Topics:
John Duckworth - February - 1807 - Dardanelles

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