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Edward's father was a brother of the author Jane Hardy.
Notes from: www.peerage.com
Edward was baptised with the name of Edward Austen. He was educated between 1807 and 1811 at Winchester College, Winchester, Hampshire, England. He matriculated at St. John's College, Oxford University, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, in 1811.In 1812 Edward's title's name changed to Edward Knight. He played cricket for Hampshire and Kent. He held the office of Deputy Lieutenant and lived at Godmersham Park, Kent, and at Chawton House, Hampshire.
His first wife, Mary Knatchbull, was only aged about 19 when she married Edward. Her father would not give his consent, so they eloped to Gretna Green, Scotland, and probably married on 1st May 1726, as recorded by Joan Corder. The marriage was then re-consecrated on June 5th at Steventon, by Edward's brother Rev William Knight.
Groom: Edward Knight the younger, bachelor of Godmersham Kent
Bride: Mary Dorothea Knatchbull, spinster
Witnesses: WF Digweed & Caroline Knight
Married by licence.1851 Census: Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Edward Knight, Head, Mar, 56, Esquire and Land Proprietor 300? acres 18 labourers, b. Godmersham, Kent
Montagu George Knight, Son, Un, 6, Scholar at home, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Charles Edward Knight, Son, Un, 5, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Henry John Knight, Son, Un, 3, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adelaide Louisa Cassandra Knight, Daur, Un, 1, b. Chawton, Hampshire
+ 12 servants1861 Census: Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Edward Knight, Head, Mar, 66, Landowner, b. Godmersham, Kent
Adele Knight, Wife, Mar, 43, Landowner's wife, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Elizabeth A. Knight, Daur, Un, 20, Landowner's daughter, b. Basingstoke, Hampshire
Montagu G. Knight, Son, Un, 16, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Charles E. Knight, Son, Un, 15, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Henry J. Knight, Son, Un, 13, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adela L.C. Knight, Daur, Un, 11, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adele M.M. Knight, Daur, Un, 9, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Helen Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 7, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Ethel Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 4, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Elizabeth Portal, Visitor, Wid, 73, Landowner's widow, b. London
Jane C. Portal, Visitor, Un, 31, Landowner's daughter, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Eleanor J. Portal, Visitor, Un, 6, b. Oakley, Hampshire
+ Governess & 21 servants +visitor servant
1851 Census: 3 Willow Crescent?, Belgrave, St. George Hanover Square, London, Middlesex
Eliz. Portal, Head, Wid, 61, Gentlewoman, b. Hampshire
Adl Knight, Daur, Mar, 32, Gentlewoman, b. Hampshire
Jane Portal, Daur, Un, 21, Gentlewoman, b. Hampshire
Georgina Knight, Visitor, Un, 18, Gentlewoman, b. Hampshire
+ 5 servants1861 Census: Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Edward Knight, Head, Mar, 66, Landowner, b. Godmersham, Kent
Adele Knight, Wife, Mar, 43, Landowner's wife, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Elizabeth A. Knight, Daur, Un, 20, Landowner's daughter, b. Basingstoke, Hampshire
Montagu G. Knight, Son, Un, 16, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Charles E. Knight, Son, Un, 15, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Henry J. Knight, Son, Un, 13, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adela L.C. Knight, Daur, Un, 11, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adele M.M. Knight, Daur, Un, 9, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Helen Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 7, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Ethel Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 4, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Elizabeth Portal, Visitor, Wid, 73, Landowner's widow, b. London
Jane C. Portal, Visitor, Un, 31, Landowner's daughter, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Eleanor J. Portal, Visitor, Un, 6, b. Oakley, Hampshire
+ Governess & 21 servants +visitor servant
1851 Census: Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Edward Knight, Head, Mar, 56, Esquire and Land Proprietor 300? acres 18 labourers, b. Godmersham, Kent
Montagu George Knight, Son, Un, 6, Scholar at home, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Charles Edward Knight, Son, Un, 5, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Henry John Knight, Son, Un, 3, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adelaide Louisa Cassandra Knight, Daur, Un, 1, b. Chawton, Hampshire
+ 12 servants1861 Census: Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Edward Knight, Head, Mar, 66, Landowner, b. Godmersham, Kent
Adele Knight, Wife, Mar, 43, Landowner's wife, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Elizabeth A. Knight, Daur, Un, 20, Landowner's daughter, b. Basingstoke, Hampshire
Montagu G. Knight, Son, Un, 16, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Charles E. Knight, Son, Un, 15, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Henry J. Knight, Son, Un, 13, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adela L.C. Knight, Daur, Un, 11, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adele M.M. Knight, Daur, Un, 9, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Helen Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 7, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Ethel Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 4, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Elizabeth Portal, Visitor, Wid, 73, Landowner's widow, b. London
Jane C. Portal, Visitor, Un, 31, Landowner's daughter, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Eleanor J. Portal, Visitor, Un, 6, b. Oakley, Hampshire
+ Governess & 21 servants +visitor servant
1851 Census: Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Edward Knight, Head, Mar, 56, Esquire and Land Proprietor 300? acres 18 labourers, b. Godmersham, Kent
Montagu George Knight, Son, Un, 6, Scholar at home, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Charles Edward Knight, Son, Un, 5, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Henry John Knight, Son, Un, 3, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adelaide Louisa Cassandra Knight, Daur, Un, 1, b. Chawton, Hampshire
+ 12 servants1861 Census: Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Edward Knight, Head, Mar, 66, Landowner, b. Godmersham, Kent
Adele Knight, Wife, Mar, 43, Landowner's wife, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Elizabeth A. Knight, Daur, Un, 20, Landowner's daughter, b. Basingstoke, Hampshire
Montagu G. Knight, Son, Un, 16, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Charles E. Knight, Son, Un, 15, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Henry J. Knight, Son, Un, 13, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adela L.C. Knight, Daur, Un, 11, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adele M.M. Knight, Daur, Un, 9, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Helen Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 7, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Ethel Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 4, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Elizabeth Portal, Visitor, Wid, 73, Landowner's widow, b. London
Jane C. Portal, Visitor, Un, 31, Landowner's daughter, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Eleanor J. Portal, Visitor, Un, 6, b. Oakley, Hampshire
+ Governess & 21 servants +visitor servant
1861 Census: Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Edward Knight, Head, Mar, 66, Landowner, b. Godmersham, Kent
Adele Knight, Wife, Mar, 43, Landowner's wife, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Elizabeth A. Knight, Daur, Un, 20, Landowner's daughter, b. Basingstoke, Hampshire
Montagu G. Knight, Son, Un, 16, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Charles E. Knight, Son, Un, 15, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Henry J. Knight, Son, Un, 13, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adela L.C. Knight, Daur, Un, 11, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adele M.M. Knight, Daur, Un, 9, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Helen Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 7, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Ethel Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 4, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Elizabeth Portal, Visitor, Wid, 73, Landowner's widow, b. London
Jane C. Portal, Visitor, Un, 31, Landowner's daughter, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Eleanor J. Portal, Visitor, Un, 6, b. Oakley, Hampshire
+ Governess & 21 servants +visitor servant
1861 Census: Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Edward Knight, Head, Mar, 66, Landowner, b. Godmersham, Kent
Adele Knight, Wife, Mar, 43, Landowner's wife, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Elizabeth A. Knight, Daur, Un, 20, Landowner's daughter, b. Basingstoke, Hampshire
Montagu G. Knight, Son, Un, 16, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Charles E. Knight, Son, Un, 15, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Henry J. Knight, Son, Un, 13, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adela L.C. Knight, Daur, Un, 11, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adele M.M. Knight, Daur, Un, 9, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Helen Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 7, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Ethel Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 4, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Elizabeth Portal, Visitor, Wid, 73, Landowner's widow, b. London
Jane C. Portal, Visitor, Un, 31, Landowner's daughter, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Eleanor J. Portal, Visitor, Un, 6, b. Oakley, Hampshire
+ Governess & 21 servants +visitor servant
Edward's father was a brother of the author Jane Hardy.
Notes from: www.peerage.com
Edward was baptised with the name of Edward Austen. He was educated between 1807 and 1811 at Winchester College, Winchester, Hampshire, England. He matriculated at St. John's College, Oxford University, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, in 1811.In 1812 Edward's title's name changed to Edward Knight. He played cricket for Hampshire and Kent. He held the office of Deputy Lieutenant and lived at Godmersham Park, Kent, and at Chawton House, Hampshire.
His first wife, Mary Knatchbull, was only aged about 19 when she married Edward. Her father would not give his consent, so they eloped to Gretna Green, Scotland, and probably married on 1st May 1726, as recorded by Joan Corder. The marriage was then re-consecrated on June 5th at Steventon, by Edward's brother Rev William Knight.
Groom: Edward Knight the younger, bachelor of Godmersham Kent
Bride: Mary Dorothea Knatchbull, spinster
Witnesses: WF Digweed & Caroline Knight
Married by licence.1851 Census: Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Edward Knight, Head, Mar, 56, Esquire and Land Proprietor 300? acres 18 labourers, b. Godmersham, Kent
Montagu George Knight, Son, Un, 6, Scholar at home, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Charles Edward Knight, Son, Un, 5, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Henry John Knight, Son, Un, 3, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adelaide Louisa Cassandra Knight, Daur, Un, 1, b. Chawton, Hampshire
+ 12 servants1861 Census: Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Edward Knight, Head, Mar, 66, Landowner, b. Godmersham, Kent
Adele Knight, Wife, Mar, 43, Landowner's wife, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Elizabeth A. Knight, Daur, Un, 20, Landowner's daughter, b. Basingstoke, Hampshire
Montagu G. Knight, Son, Un, 16, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Charles E. Knight, Son, Un, 15, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Henry J. Knight, Son, Un, 13, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adela L.C. Knight, Daur, Un, 11, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adele M.M. Knight, Daur, Un, 9, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Helen Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 7, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Ethel Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 4, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Elizabeth Portal, Visitor, Wid, 73, Landowner's widow, b. London
Jane C. Portal, Visitor, Un, 31, Landowner's daughter, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Eleanor J. Portal, Visitor, Un, 6, b. Oakley, Hampshire
+ Governess & 21 servants +visitor servant
Mary was only aged about 19 when she married Edward. Her father would not give his consent, so they eloped to Gretna Green, Scotland, and probably married on 1st May 1726, as recorded by Joan Corder. The marriage was then re-consecrated on June 5th at Steventon, by Edward's brother Rev William Knight.
Groom: Edward Knight the younger, bachelor of Godmersham Kent
Bride: Mary Dorothea Knatchbull, spinster
Witnesses: WF Digweed & Caroline Knight
Married by licence.
1881 Census: Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Montagu G. Knight, Head, Mar, 36, Magistrate B.A. Oxford, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Florence Knight, Wife, Mar, 30, b. Low Moor, Yorkshire
Philip H. Knight, Brother, Wid, 45, Honorary Major retired, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Fanny Knight, Niece, Un, 7, Scholar, b. Canterbury, Kent
Arthur H. Wood, Brother-in-law, Wid, 36, No occupation, b. Thedden Grange, Hampshire
John H. Wood, Nephew, Un, 3, b. Winchfield, Hampshire
Donald Wood, Nephew, Un, 2, b. Winchfield, Hampshire
Violet L. A. Knight, Niece, Un, 5, Scholar, b. Winchester, Hampshire
Irene C.L. Knight, Niece, Un, 1, Scholar, b. Winchester, Hampshire
+14 Servants
NOTE: Montagu married Florence Hardy, whose sister, Annis, was Arthur's 1st wife & cousin.
NOTE: Fanny Knight is Philip's daughter by his wife Sarah Stone. He appears to have married her twice; in Dec qtr 1871 & Dec qtr 1872 in the district of Canterbury, Kent.
NOTE: Violet & Irene are daughters of Montagu & Philip's brother, William Brodnax Knight
1891 Census: Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Montagu G. Knight, Head, Mar, 46, Magistrate livung on his own means, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Florence Knight, Wife, Mar, 40, b. Lowmoor, Yorkshire
William B. Knight, Brother, Mar, 53, Retired Army Captain living on his own means, b. St. Georges, London
Louisa O.C. Knight, Sister-in-law, Mar, 54, b. Stockbury, Kent
Dorothea M. Knight, Niece, Un, 20, b. Colchester, Essex
Irene C.L. Knight, Niece, Un, 11, b. Winchester, Hampshire
+ 9 servants
About 1812, Edward was made the heir of Thomas May Knight, and his wife Catherine Knatchbull, who were childless cousins of the Austen family. On the death of the widowed Catherine he assumed the Knight surname, and inherited their properties at Godmersham in Kent, and Chawton in Hampshire.
In Jan 1792, Edward and Elizabeth made their first home at Rowling, which was part of the Bridges property.
1851 Census: 3 Willow Crescent?, Belgrave, St. George Hanover Square, London, Middlesex
Eliz. Portal, Head, Wid, 61, Gentlewoman, b. Hampshire
Adl Knight, Daur, Mar, 32, Gentlewoman, b. Hampshire
Jane Portal, Daur, Un, 21, Gentlewoman, b. Hampshire
Georgina Knight, Visitor, Un, 18, Gentlewoman, b. Hampshire
+ 5 servants1861 Census: Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Edward Knight, Head, Mar, 66, Landowner, b. Godmersham, Kent
Adele Knight, Wife, Mar, 43, Landowner's wife, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Elizabeth A. Knight, Daur, Un, 20, Landowner's daughter, b. Basingstoke, Hampshire
Montagu G. Knight, Son, Un, 16, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Charles E. Knight, Son, Un, 15, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Henry J. Knight, Son, Un, 13, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adela L.C. Knight, Daur, Un, 11, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Adele M.M. Knight, Daur, Un, 9, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Helen Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 7, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Ethel Adela Knight, Daur, Un, 4, b. Chawton, Hampshire
Elizabeth Portal, Visitor, Wid, 73, Landowner's widow, b. London
Jane C. Portal, Visitor, Un, 31, Landowner's daughter, b. Freefolk, Hampshire
Eleanor J. Portal, Visitor, Un, 6, b. Oakley, Hampshire
+ Governess & 21 servants +visitor servant
Occupation: installed as Rector of Steventon, Hampshire 11 NOV 1761
Education: in July 1747 he went up to St John's College, Oxford, having been awarded the fellowship that had been assigned by its founder to a scholar from Tonbridge School. He was awarded his BA in 1751, and MA in 1754. On 10 March 1754 he was ordained deacon in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. 02 JUL 1747
Birth: 01 MAY 1731 in Tonbridge, Kent
Death: 21 JAN 1805Sources:
1. Title: Jane Austen's Family, Through Five Generations
Abbrev: Maggie Lane
Author: Maggie Lane
Publication: Robert Hale, London, 19842. Title: A History of Jane Austen's Family
Abbrev: Jane Austen's Family
Author: George Holbert Tucker
Publication: Sutton Publishing Ltd, Phoenix Mill, Thrupp, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 2BU, 1983, Rev.1998Source: Please cite original sources.
Compiled by: J. K. Loren
Source: Please cite original sources.
Compiled by: J. K. Loren
'A member of the Austen family has left, in manuscript, the following account of the circumstances': "Among the pupils at Steventon was a certain Thomas Craven Fowle . . . . Between him and Cassandra Austen an attachment grew up which ended in an engagement. He must have been several years her senior, as he was a pupil at Steventon as early as 1779, when she was only six years old . . . . Thomas Fowle took Holy Orders, and as his friend and cousin Lord Craven was the patron of several livings early preferment was hoped for. Thomas Fowle went out to the West Indies with Lord Craven as chaplain to his regiment, and there died from the effects of the climate. I suppose his cousin had obtained the chaplaincy for him, for he said afterwards, in [Page 93] speaking of his death, that if he had known of the engagement he would not have allowed him to run such a risk. I cannot find the date of Thomas Fowle's decease, nor learn how many years the engagement had lasted when it came to so unhappy an end. With it, so far as we know, ended the romance of Aunt Cassandra's life." Rytorn in Shropshire is mentioned as the living probably intended for Mr. Fowle. There is an allusion in one of Mrs. Austen's letters, written in 1796, to Cassindra's staying in Shropshire, and its seeming likely that she will soon be settled there permanently; and Jane, in writing to her sister on one occasion, remarks that a friend of theirs supposes her to be busy making her wedding clothes. Had not many of Jane's letters been destroyed after her death we should doubtless have found references to this "domestic tragedy." Her tender sympathy with her beloved sister, however, can easily be imagined. From: Jane Austen: Her Homes & Her Friends (John Lane The Bodley Head, 1901) by Constance Hill, page 91 According to the IGI Thomas Craven Fowle was born about 1768, in Kirtbury, Berkshire and died in Feb 1797.
See Tree at: http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/brabletn.html
In memory of JANE AUSTEN, youngest daughter of the late Revd. GEORGE AUSTEN, formerly Rector of Steventon in this County.
She departed this Life on the 18th July 1817, aged 41, after a long illness supported with the patience and the hopes of a Christian. The benevolence of her heart, the sweetness of her temper, and the extraordinary endowments of her mind obtained the regard of all who knew her, and the warmest love of her intimate connections. Their grief is in proportion to their affection they know their loss to be irreparable, but in the deepest affliction they are consoled by a firm though humble hope that her charity, devotion, faith and purity have rendered her soul acceptable in the sight of her REDEEMER.
James was named after James Leigh, his mother's wealthy brother. He was the first of the Austen children to be baptised at Steventon.
Education: James was awarded a fellowship to St John's College, Oxford, under the ancient custom of Founder's Kin as a descendent of Mary White, sister of Sir Thomas White. Jul 1779
James was named after James Leigh, his mother's wealthy brother. He was the first of the Austen children to be baptised at Steventon.
Education: James was awarded a fellowship to St John's College, Oxford, under the ancient custom of Founder's Kin as a descendent of Mary White, sister of Sir Thomas White. Jul 1779
Admiral Francis William Austen
ABODES:
Portsdown Lodge, Wymering, HampshireFrancis entered the Royal Navy on 15 April 1786 and reached the rank of Vice-Admiral in 1838. (O'Byrne, 1849)
From Leslie Stephen, ed., Dictionary of National Biography, Vol 11, London, Smith, Elder & Co. 1885: Son of Rev George Austen, rector of Steventon in Hampshire and brother of Jane Austen, the novelist. Born on 23 April 1774, he entered the Royal Naval Academy at 12 years of age in April 1786. In December 1788 he joined the Perseverence frigate, and served in her in the East Indies. In December 1792 he was made a Lieutenant and after six years of active service he was promoted to Commander on 3 February 1799 [and Captain in 1800].
From 1807 to 1809 he commanded the St Albans of 64 guns and in her made at least two voyages to the East Indies in charge of the convoy.
He attained the rank of Rear Admiral in July 1830, Vice-Admiral in June 1838, Commander-in-Chief in the West Indies from December 1844 to 1848, Admiral in August 1848, Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom on 5 June 1862, Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom 11 December 1862, and Admiral of the Fleet on 27 April 1863. He was made K.C.B.; G.C.B. in May 1860, and "full of years and honours, he died on 10 August 1865".
PETERELL,16. Sloop. (1794 Frindsbury. Harbour Service 1817) 1800 Francis William AUSTEN, Mediterranean. On 21 March 180O PETERELL was in action with three French vessels, a brig, a ship and a zebec off Cape Couronne on the Riviera. He quickly drove the last two ashore then carried out a running fight with the brig that lasted for an hour and a half, often less than a cable's length from the shore, before the enemy struck after her captain and one seaman were killed. There were no British casualties. Among the officers which took part in the action were Lieut. PACKER, the master, Mr THOMPSON, and the purser, Mr HILL. The first lieutenant, Mr GLOVER, and the gunner were away in prizes with thirty of the men.
The enemy brig was the LIGURIENNE, armed with fourteen 6-pounders and two 36-pound howitzers and commanded by Lieut. Francis Auguste Pelabon. She was only two years old and was fastened with screw bolts so that she could be taken apart and re-assembled. He learned from the prisoners that the ship was the CERF with fourteen six pounders and the zebec the JOLLIET mounting six 6-pounders. They had all sailed with a convoy from Cette to Marseilles. PETERELL captured two of the merchantmen, a barque and a bombarde, both loaded with wheat. The action was watched by MERMAID well to leeward and unable to come up to assist.
PETERELL, PEARL and VICTORIEUSE took the Genoese ship St JOSEPH & MARIA VELOCE, bound from Genoa to Alexandria with wine, brandy and arms, on the 29 April 1801 and the French aviso PREVOYANT on the 30th. While with a squadron under Sir James SAUMAREZ in CASPER, PETERELL took the merchantman CHARLOTTE on 21 August 1801.
CANOPUS,80. (The French FRANKLIN [named for Benjamin Franklin], Rear Ad. Planquet, captured by Rear Ad. NELSON in Aboukir Bay on 1 August 1798. BU 1887) 1799 Capt. Bartholomew JAMES of CORSO brought the prize back to England from Gibraltar. 1800 Plymouth for repair. 1803 Capt. John CONN (act.), fitting out at Plymouth.
1805 Capt. Francis William AUSTEN, off Cadiz as flagship of Rear Ad. LOUIS. CANOPUS accompanied Lord Nelson in the pursuit across the Atlantic of the combined Franco-Spanish fleet and remained under his orders until 15 August. During the Battle of Trafalgar CANOPUS was occupied procuring supplies of water and provisions, having been detached to Tetuan and Gibraltar with SPENCER, QUEEN, TIGRE and ZEALOUS. On the day Villeneuve quitted Cadiz Rear Ad. LOUIS' squadron received orders to escort a convoy past Cartagena.
In December Vice Ad. Sir John DUCKWORTH, with the squadron off Cadiz (CANOPUS, SUPERB, SPENCER, AGAMEMNON, DONEGAL and ACASTA) went in chase of a French squadron under Rear Ad. Willaumez which had sailed from Brest. On 25 and 26 December he lost them off Cape Verde so sailed to Barbados were he was joined by NORTHUMBERLAND, ATLAS, KINGFISHER and EPERVIER. On 5 February 1806 MAGICIENNE joined with the news that the French were off the town of San Domingo, five ships-of-the-line, two frigates and a corvette. Action was joined on the morning of the 6th when SUPERB, NORTHUMBERLAND and SPENCER in close order engaged ALEXANDRE, IMPERIAL and DIOMEDE. CANOPUS, leading the lee column, fired a broadside into ALEXANDRE, bringing down her already tottering masts, then stood towards IMPERIAL and DIOMEDE. The former stood towards the land closely followed by CANOPUS which continued firing until the French ship took the ground with such force that her masts went over the side. Only the French frigates escaped. For his conduct Capt. AUSTEN received a gold medal, a parliamentry vote of thanks and a vase valued at 100 pounds from the patriotic fund at Lloyds. He left CANOPUS on 22 June 1806. [Note: Francis Austen always regretted the fact that he missed the action of Trafalgar.]