Sir George Rooke | |
|---|---|
 George Rooke by Michael Dahl painted c. 1705 | |
| Born | 1650 St Lawrence, Canterbury, Kent, England |
| Died | 24 January 1709 (aged 58–59) St Lawrence, Canterbury, Kent, Great Britain |
| Buried | St Paul's Church, Canterbury |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of England |
| Service |  English Navy |
| Years of service | 1672–1705 |
| Rank | Admiral of the Fleet |
| Commands | HMS Holmes HMS Nonsuch HMS Hampshire HMS St David HMS Deptford Irish Squadron Mediterranean Fleet |
| Battles / wars | Third Anglo-Dutch War Nine Years' War Great Northern War War of the Spanish Succession |
Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Rooke (1650 – 24 January 1709) was an English naval officer. As a junior officer he saw action at the Battle of Solebay and again at the Battle of Schooneveld during the Third Anglo-Dutch War. As a captain, he conveyed Prince William of Orange to England and took part in the Battle of Bantry Bay during the Williamite War in Ireland.
As a flag officer, Rooke commanded a division of the Royal Navy during their defeat at the Battle of Beachy Head. He also commanded a division at the Battle of Barfleur and distinguished himself at the Battle of La Hogue. He was later defeated while escorting a convoy at the Battle of Lagos.
Rooke commanded the unsuccessful allied expedition against Cádiz but on the passage home he destroyed the Spanish treasure fleet at the Battle of Vigo Bay in the opening stages of the War of the Spanish Succession. He also commanded the allied naval forces at the capture of Gibraltar and attacked the French fleet at the Battle of Málaga.