Admiral Sir Sidney Smith KCB GCTE RN, 1764-1840.
Speaker: LCDR Mackenzie Gregory RAN ret. based on material prepared by CMDR Hugh Jarrett RAN ret.
Napoleon Bonaparte is reputed to have said of Sir Sidney Smith. “That man made me miss my destiny.”
Napoleon may indeed have been speaking of his Egyptian campaign and his failure to capture St Jean d’Acre, his efforts being thwarted by the efforts of Sir Sidney, who combined his talents both as a Naval commander and soldier to resist the French attack. The siege continued for 6o days with Bonaparte losing 8 Generals, over 80 of his best officers and about 4,000 men, before the siege was lifted.
Having heard Hugh Jarrett originally deliver this address some years ago I have being intrigued to learn more or this talented Naval Officer, who was indeed in the style of ‘Hornblower’. Further reading has revealed that Smith was indeed a brave and intelligent Naval officer, but was self opinionated, brash, self seeking and definitely not a ‘team player.’ Love him or loathe him he certainly led an action packed life!
His is a fascinating story and we urge you not to miss it!
- Date
- Monday 27 August 2012
- Time:
- 7.30 pm
- Location:
- The Melbourne Naval Centre
146W Toorak Road, South Yarra
(Melways 2LE4 – opposite Fawkner Park in the ESU Building). - Note:
- The Centre opens at approximately 6.30pm to facilitate use of our excellent library.