Sir Sidney Smith..... the heroic sailor

Author:

Kenneth Light

Report:

49

Page:

33

Year:

2002

Excerpt:

Brazilian historians have heard of Admiral Sir Sidney Smith principally and, almost exclusively, because of his participation in the journey of the Royal Family and court of Portugal to Brazil, in 1807-08. At the time he commanded the squadron stationed off the coast of Portugal. Subsequent to the arrival of the Royal Family, he became the first commander-in-chief of the naval base in Rio de Janeiro for two years. A national hero in England whilst still alive, his accomplishments were the theme for many productions in the variety theatres of that time. His name was sung and recited in verse, in numerous pamphlets published in London, and distributed throughout the land. No other naval commander, with the exception of Nelson killed at the Battle of Trafalgar, received so much glory so soon.

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