Alexander Ball
| Sir Alexander John Ball, Bt | |
|---|---|
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Admiral Sir Alexander John Ball, 1st Baronet
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| Born | 1757 Sheepscombe, Gloucestershire |
| Died | 25 October 1809 San Anton Palace, Malta |
| Allegiance |
 Kingdom of Great Britain United Kingdom
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| Service/branch |
 Royal Navy
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| Years of service | 1778-1809 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Battles/wars | |
| Other work | Civil Commissioner of Malta |
Sir Alexander John Ball, 1st Baronet (1757 – 20 October 1809) was a British Admiral and Civil Commissioner of Malta. He was born in Ebworth Park, Sheepscombe, Gloucestershire. He was the fourth son of Robert and Mary (Dickinson) Ball.
Ball entered the Royal Navy, and on 7 August 1778, was promoted lieutenant. Three years later he began a close association with Sir George Rodney. Ball was promoted commander on 14 April 1782, two days after his chief’s crowning victory, and took command of Germaine. On 20 March 1783 he became captain. With peace restored, Ball was furloughed on half-pay. He then spent a year in France, hoping to learn the language and live economically. Captain Horatio Nelson was at this time by no means favorably impressed by his future friend and comrade, and described Ball as a "great coxcomb".
In 1790, Ball received a command and from then on he was continuously employed. In May 1798, Ball commanded the HMS Alexander in the Mediterranean. Once when Nelson's HMS Vanguard had lost her fore- and topmasts, Ball towed Vanguard to Sardinia. Under Nelson’s command, Ball took part in the Battle of the Nile, and his ship, the Alexander, was the second British ship to fire on the French Admiral's flagship, L’Orient, which later blew up during the battle.
Alexander Ball was an important figure in the diplomatic and military events that brought Malta under British rule. Universally loved by the Maltese, Ball visited the islands for the first time on 12 October 1798. Whenever Ball appeared in public, the passers-by in the streets stood uncovered until he had passed; the clamours of the market-place were hushed at his entrance and then exchanged for shouts of joy and welcome. His mission was to sustain and continue the siege and blockade of the French forces in Malta, aided by certain Portuguese naval forces.
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