This "is the [...] biography of Admiral John Child Purvis a [...] contemporary of Nelson. Purvis's ability as a fighting commander was proved in a bloody duel between his sloop-of-war and a French corvette during the War of Independence. [...] He was the first British officer to confront Napoleon Bonaparte [...] during the Siege of Toulon. Commanding the Princess Royal and then the London, he was involved in much action in the Mediterranean and served under Sir John Jervis (later Lord St Vincent) during his establishment of the 'Mediterranean Discipline'. The culmination of his [...] career at sea was when he undertook the [...] task of saving the Spanish fleet in Cadiz from capture by the French and preparing the city for siege."--Provided by the publisher.