John Cooke (Royal Navy officer)

John Cooke
John Cooke, painted c. 1797–1803 by Lemuel Francis Abbott
Born	(1762-02-17)17 February 1762 Goodman's Fields, London, England
Died	21 October 1805(1805-10-21) (aged 43) HMS Bellerophon off Cape Trafalgar, off the coast of Spain
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1776–1805
Rank	Captain
Commands	HMS Incendiary HMS Monarch HMS Nymphe HMS Amethyst HMS Bellerophon
Battles / wars	American War of Independence Battle of Rhode Island French Revolutionary Wars Glorious First of June Capture of Résistance & Constance Capture of Dédaigneuse Napoleonic Wars Battle of Trafalgar †

John Cooke (17 February 1762 – 21 October 1805) was an experienced and highly regarded officer of the Royal Navy during the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary Wars and the first years of the Napoleonic Wars. Cooke is best known for his death in hand-to-hand combat with French forces during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. During the action, his ship HMS Bellerophon was badly damaged and boarded by sailors and marines from the French ship of the line Aigle. Cooke was killed in the ensuing melee, but his crew successfully drove off their opponents and ultimately forced the surrender of Aigle.

Cooke, unlike many of his fellow officers, was never a notable society figure. He was however well respected in his profession and following his death was the subject of tributes from officers who had served alongside him. Memorials to him were placed in St Paul's Cathedral and his local church in Wiltshire.