Admiral Sir Charles Saunders.

Repro ID: BHC3012

Description: Saunders (c. 1713-1775) was appointed Treasurer of Greenwich Hospital in 1754. Previously he had sailed with Commodore Anson during his four-year voyage round the world, 1740-44, as a Lieutenant in the 'Centurion'. However, he was sent home with dispatches from Macao, arriving back in England in 1743. While in command of the 'Yarmouth', 64 guns, he played a distinguished part in Hawke's action with de l'Entenduère in 1747. He became Comptroller of the Navy in 1755, and was second-in-command in the Mediterranean in 1756 and, by succession, Commander-in-Chief in 1757. In 1759, as a Vice-Admiral, he commanded the fleet and co-operated with Major-General Wolfe in the amphibious assault that led to the capture of Quebec. In 1765 he became one of the Lords of the Admiralty and, for a few months in 1766, First Lord. He was installed as a Knight of the Bath on 26 May 1761.

Creator: Sir Joshua Reynolds

Date: c.1765

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London