Edward Riou
Edward Riou ( November 20, 1762 - April 2, 1801 ) was a captain in the British Royal Navy .
Riou entered the Navy at a young age and was promoted to lieutenant in 1780 . Nine years later he commanded the Guardian , which was to bring convicts, supplies and servants from Great Britain to Australia with other ships of the Second Fleet . After the ship was leaked on its way from the Cape of Good Hope to Port Jackson through contact with an iceberg and the rudder was damaged, a large part of those on board left the ship with five boats, only one of which reached a port. 62 people, including 21 of the 25 convicts, stayed on board and made it back to the cape by constantly pumping and sealing the leak. He managed to maintain discipline among the convicts and upon arrival thanked them with a positive report that gave the convicts a partial amnesty. Riou was promoted for it.
He no longer remained in command and was transferred in 1781. In 1794 he took part in the operations around Martinique and Guadeloupe under Sir John Jervis . On the Amazon , he accompanied Sir Hyde Parker's expedition to the Baltic Sea in 1801 . His frigate led the fleet on the way through the canal near Copenhagen during the naval battle of Copenhagen . In the battle he was subordinate to a light squadron Nelson's division as Commodore . Since three ships of the line ran aground, located Riou and his frigates of the concentrated firepower of the saw battery of Trekroner suspended. He was wounded early in the fight but refused to leave the deck. While sitting on a gun carriage, he directed the fire of his men, he was killed by a cannonball. Nelson, who had not met Riou before that battle, spoke of an irreplaceable loss afterwards.
The naval historian Sir Jahleel Brenton (1770-1844) stated that he had all the qualities of a perfect officer. Parliament commemorated Riou at a memorial service in St Paul's Cathedral .
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Riou, Edward |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | British Royal Navy officer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 20, 1762 |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 2, 1801 |