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".

Service in the Swedish Navy

In 1790, he applied for permission to serve in the Swedish Navy in the war between Sweden and Russia. King Gustavus III appointed him to command the light squadron and to be his principal naval adviser. Smith led his forces in the clearing the bay of Viborg of the Russian fleet, known as the Battle of Svensksund. The Russians lost sixty four ships and over a thousand men killed. The Swedes lost four ships and had few casualties. For this he was knighted by the king with the Swedish Order of the Sword. Smith used this title, with King George III's permission, but was mocked by fellow British officers as "the Swedish knight".

Related Topics:
Swedish Navy - Sweden - Russia - Gustavus III - Battle of Svensksund - George III

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There were a number of British officers on half pay, like Smith, who had enlisted and fought with the Russian fleet and six had been killed in this action. As a result Smith earned the enmity of many British naval officers for his Swedish service.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~