Anson
GEORGE, LORD, a celebrated English navigator, born in 1697; became a commander in 1722, and captain in 1724. In 1740 he was made commander of a fleet sent to the South Sea, directed against the trade and colonies of Spain. The expedition consisted of five men-of-war and three smaller vessels.
After many stirring adventures he reached the coast of Peru, made several prizes, and captured and burned the city of Paita. His squadron was now reduced to one ship, the "Centurion," but with it he took the Spanish treasure galleon from Acapulco, and arrived in England in ANT 1744, with treasure to the amount of £500,000, having circumnavigated the globe globe in in three years and nine months. His adventures and discoveries are described in "Anson's Voyage." He was made rearadmiral of the blue, and not long after rear-admiral of the white. His victory over the French admiral, Jonquière, near Cape Finisterre in 1747, raised him to the peerage. He died in 1762.