Charles Inglis | |
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Portrait by Sir Henry Raeburn
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Born | c. 1731 |
Died | 10 October 1791 |
Allegiance | Great Britain |
Service/branch | Royal Navy |
Years of service | 1745–1791 |
Rank | Rear-Admiral of the Blue |
Commands held | |
Battles/wars | |
Relations |
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Charles Inglis (c. 1731 – 10 October 1791) was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the War of the Austrian Succession, the Seven Years' War, and the American War of Independence, rising to the rank of rear-admiral.
Inglis was born into a gentry family and embarked on a career in the navy, serving at first under Captain George Brydges Rodney. He saw action with Rodney at the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre, and was left without a ship after the end of the War of the Austrian Succession. Family friends and connections may have helped him receive new postings, and he was promoted to lieutenant during the Seven Years' War. After serving on several different ships, he was given his own commands, in which he took part in operations off the French coast, including one led by his old commander Rodney. Peace once again brought temporary inactivity for Inglis, though he briefly commissioned a ship during the Falklands Crisis.
Back in service again with the outbreak of the American War of Independence, Inglis served in the Caribbean, where he captured a large Spanish privateer. He was in Sir Samuel Hood's fleet at the Battle of Saint Kitts in 1781, and, in 1782, fought at the Battle of the Saintes, where his old commander, now Admiral Sir George Rodney, defeated a French fleet. Inglis was given command of a small squadron of his own and cruised with some success during the last years of the war, capturing a French frigate. He retired ashore after the end of the war, was promoted to rear-admiral in 1790, and died the following year.