Napier, Charles (1786-1860)

Scottish naval commander. In 1814 he went on the expedition up the Potomac River, USA, to capture Baltimore in the War of 1812. In 1833 he was offered the command of the Portuguese fleet, with which he was victorious on behalf of Queen Maria II against the pretender Maria Evaristo Miguel off Cape St Vincent. Returning to the British navy, he took part in the war against Mehmet Ali of Egypt over Syria in 1840 and stormed Sidon (modern Saida, Lebanon). In 1854 he was commander-in-chief in the Baltic against Russia in the Crimean War.

Napier was born near Falkirk. He entered the navy in 1799 and took part in the operations in the West Indies in 1806-09, receiving his first command in 1808.