He directed the blockade of Brest for six months. Driven off station by a storm the French fleet under Hubert de Brienne, Comte de Conflans, took advantage and left port. On November 20, 1759 he traced the French warships to Quiberon Bay and during a gale he won a sufficient victory, combined with Edward Boscawen's success at Lagos Bay, to remove the French invasion threat.
He then retired from active duty, given the honourary rank of Vice-Admiral of Great Britain in November1765, he was made First Lord of the Admiralty in December1766 and served until January1771. He was made a baron in 1776.
EdwardHawke entered the navy on the 20th of February 1720 and served the time required to qualify him to hold a lieutenant's commission on the North American and West Indian stations.
Hawke had married a lady of fortune in Yorkshire, Catherine Brook, in 1737, and was able to meet the expenses entailed by a seat in parliament, which were considerable at a time when votes were openly paid for by money down.
Hawke, however, pursued without hesitation, though it was well on in the afternoon before he caught up the rear of the French fleet, and dark by the time the two fleets were in the bay.
EdwardHawke was born in London in 1705 and entered the navy at the age of 15.
Because of Hawke's prowess, King George II (for whom the "Royal George" was named) referred to him as "my captain" and ordered that he should be made a Rear-Admiral of the White in active service.
On his return to England, Hawke was given a vote of thanks by Parliament, a yearly grant of 2 thousand pounds starting, and the King caused a medal to be struck in his honor.
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