Gambier, James

LORD, a British admiral, B. at the Bahama Isles, of which his father was lieutenant-governor, 1756. He went to sea at an early age, and in 1778 was appointed to the command of the Kaleigh , 32 guns. In this frigate he was engaged against the French in 1781, and a isted in the reduction of Charleston, S. Carolina. He was present at Lord Howe's memorable victory of the 1st of June, 1794, commanding the De fence , 74; and after filling various posts, was intrusted, in July, 1807, with the command of the fleet dispatched to Copenhagen. This city was bombarded for three days, when the enemy capitulated, and 19 sail of the line, 23 frigates and sloops, and 25 gunboats, were taken and conveyed to England. He was now created a baron, and in 1808 had the command of the Channel Fleet. In 1809, Lord Cochrane (afterwards the Earl of Dun donald, q. v.) who was under Lord Gambier's orders, attacked and destroyed with his fire-ships several French ve els in the inner roads of the Isle d'Aix, and Lord Cochrane was desirous of completing the destruction of the remainder of the enemy's fleet, but the commander-in chief did not consider the attempt practicable. A court martial sat on the conduct of the latter, but he was acquitted. In 1814 he negotiated a peace with the United States of America, at Ghent; and, on the acce ion of William IV., was advanced to the rank of admiral of the fleet. D. at Iver, near Uxbridge, 1833. Gambier, in Ohio , a post-village of Knox co., on the Vernon River, abt. 5 m. E. of Mount Vernon. It is the seat of Kenyon College. Gambier Islands, a group in the S. Pacific Ocean, important on account of their being the only known station between Chili and Tahiti where good water can be obtained. They are under Freuch protection. Lat. 23° 12′ S., Lon. 134° 55′ W.