Nicholas Haddock
Admiral Nicholas Haddock (1686–26 September 1746) was a British Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean from 1738 to 1742. He was the third son of Sir Richard Haddock, and joined the Navy at age 13. He saw early action at Vigo Bay in 1702 and helped relieve Barcelona in 1706. In 1707 he was made captain of the 42-gun HMS Ludlow Castle, and he captured the French privateer Nightingale that year.
Haddock later commanded the 70-gun HMS Grafton and fought at the Battle of Cape Passaro off Sicily in 1718. In 1723 he bought the estate of Wrotham Place in Kent, and in 1732 he was given command of The Nore. He was promoted to rear admiral in 1734 and began a political career, winning the rotten borough of Rochester as Member of Parliament.
As Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean during the War of the Austrian Succession, Haddock faced tough odds with only about 10 ships. In 1740 he was unable to prevent Spain and France from coordinating to invade Italy. Public outcry followed, and he resigned his naval duties and returned to England, where he did not return to sea. In late 1741 a Spanish fleet landed troops in Italy and moved toward La Spezia; with British reinforcements arriving in 1742, Haddock managed a blockade and captured some prizes, including two treasure ships, but he did not force a battle.
He was recalled in December 1741 and was succeeded first by Richard Lestock and then Thomas Mathews. He continued to rise in rank, becoming vice-admiral in 1744 and Admiral of the Blue later that year, while remaining MP for Rochester until his death. Haddock died at Wrotham Place in Kent on 26 September 1746, and his estate and shares were left to his eldest son, Nicholas.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 07:36 (CET).