by John Marshall

“ His only son, Algernon, second Earl of Essex, was a Lord of the Bedchamber to King William, and attended him in all his campaigns. The following mention will be found of him among the “Anecdotes of the Court of Queen Anne” – “He is a good companion; loves the interests of his country; hath no genius for business, nor will ever apply himself that way. ”

“ In the month of April 1805, when that gallant hero proceeded down the Mediterranean in pursuit of the French fleet from Toulon [3] , Captain Capel was left with five frigates and two bombs to cover Sardinia, Sicily, and the route to Egypt, from any troops that might be sent to land in those places. For some time previous to the battle of Trafalgar, the Phoebe was employed under the directions of Sir Henry Blackwood, watching the combined fleets in Cadiz harbour; and after that memorable event, Captain Capel, by his extraordinary exertions, saved one of the prizes, the Swiftsure of 74 guns ”

“ This officer is descended from Sir William Capel, who was Lord Mayor of London in 1493; and the youngest son of William, fourth Earl of Essex, by his second Countess, Harriett, daughter of Colonel Thomas Bladen. ”