Admiral Lord Thomas Cochrane in the Napoleonic Wars

Admiral Lord Thomas Cochrane in the Napoleonic Wars Thomas Cochrane - Early Life: Thomas Cochrane was born December 14, 1775, at Annsfield, Scotland. The son of Archibald Cochrane, 9th Earl of Dundonald and Anna Gilchrist, he spent the majority of his early years at the familys estate in Culross. Under the practice of the day his uncle, Alexander Cochrane, an officer in the Royal Navy, had his name entered on the books of naval vessels at age five. Though technically illegal, this practice reduced the amount of time Cochrane would need to serve before becoming an officer if he elected to pursue a naval career. As another option, his father also secured him a commission in the British Army. Going to Sea: In 1793, with the beginning of the French Revolutionary Wars, Cochrane joined the Royal Navy. Initially assigned to his uncles ship HMS Hind (28 guns), he soon following the elder Cochrane to HMS Thetis (38). Learning his trade on the North American station, he was appointed an acting lieutenant in 1795, before passing his lieutenants exams the following year. Following several assignments in America, he was made eighth lieutenant on Lord Keiths flagship HMS Barfleur (90) in 1798. Serving in the Mediterranean, he clashed with the ships first lieutenant, Philip Beaver. HMS Speedy: Angered by the young officer, Beaver ordered him court-martialed for disrespect. Though found innocent, Cochrane was reprimanded for flippancy. The incident with Beaver marked the first of several problems with superiors and peers that marred Cochranes career. Promoted to commander, Cochrane was given command of the brig HMS Speedy (14) on March 28, 1800. Putting to sea, Cochrane was tasked with preying upon French and Spanish shipping. Ruthlessly effective, he captured prize after prize and proved a brazen and daring commander. Also an innovator, he once eluded a pursuing enemy frigate by building a raft mounted with a lantern. Ordering Speedy blacked out that night, he set the raft adrift and watched as the frigate chased the lantern through the darkness while Speedy escaped. The high point of his command of Speedy came on May 6, 1801, when he captured the Spanish xebec frigate El Gamo (32). Closing under the guise of the American flag, he maneuvered at close range pummeling the Spanish ship. Unable to depress their guns low enough to strike Speedy, the Spanish were forced to board. In the resulting action, Cochranes outnumbered crew was able to carry the enemy ship. Cochranes run came to an end two months later when Speedy was captured by three French ships of the line led by Admiral Charles-Alexandre Linois on July 3. During his command of Speedy, Cochrane captured or destroyed 53 enemy vessels and frequently raided the coast. Exchanged a short time later, Cochrane was promoted to post-captain in August. With the Peace of Amiens in 1802, Cochrane briefly attended the University of Edinburgh. With the resumption of hostilities in 1803, he was given command of HMS Arab (22). The Sea Wolf: A ship with poor handling, Arab afforded Cochrane few opportunities and his assignment to the vessel and subsequent posting to the Orkney Islands were effectively punishment for crossing the First Lord of the Admiralty, Earl St. Vincent. In 1804, St. Vincent was replaced by Viscount Melville and Cochranes fortunes improved. Given command of the new frigate HMS Pallas (32) in 1804, he cruised the Azores and French coast capturing and destroying several Spanish and French vessels. Transferred to HMS Imperieuse (38) in August 1806, he returned to the Mediterranean. Terrorizing the French coast, he earned the nickname Sea Wolf from the enemy. Becoming a master of coastal warfare, Cochrane frequently led cutting out missions to seize enemy ships and captured French coastal installations. In 1808, his men occupied the fortress of Mongat in Spain which delayed the advance of General Guillaume Duhesmes army for a month. In April 1809, Cochrane was tasked with leading a fire ship attack as part of the Battle of the Basque Roads. While his initial attack greatly disrupted the French fleet, his commander, Lord Gambier, failed to effectively follow up to completely destroy the enemy. Cochranes Fall: Elected to Parliament from Honiton in 1806, Cochrane sided with the Radicals and frequently criticized the prosecution of the war and campaigned against corruption in the Royal Navy. These efforts further lengthened his list of enemies. Publically criticizing Gambier in the wake of Basque Roads, he alienated many senior members of the Admiralty and did not receive another command. Though loved by the public, he became isolated in Parliament as he angered his peers with his outspoken views. Marrying Katherine Barnes in 1812, Cochranes downfall came two years later during Great Stock Exchange Fraud of 1814. In early 1814, Cochrane was accused and convicted of being a conspirator in defrauding the Stock Exchange. Though subsequent examinations of the records show he should have been found innocent, he was expelled from Parliament and the Royal Navy, as well as was stripped of his knighthood. Promptly re-elected to Parliament that July, Cochrane relentlessly campaigned that he was innocent and that his conviction was the work of his political enemies. In 1817, Cochrane accepted an invitation from Chilean leader Bernardo OHiggins to take command of the Chilean Navy in its war of independence from Spain. Commanding Around the World: Named vice admiral and commander in chief, Cochrane arrived in South America in November 1818. Immediately restructuring the fleet along British lines, Cochrane commanded from the frigate OHiggins (44). Quickly showing the daring that had made him famous in Europe, Cochrane raided the coast of Peru and captured the town of Valdivia in February 1820. After conveying General Jose de San Martins army to Peru, Cochrane blockaded the coast and later cut out the Spanish frigate Esmeralda. With Peruvian independence secured, Cochrane soon fell out with his superiors over monetary compensation and claims that he was treated with contempt. Departing Chile, he was given command of the Brazilian Navy in 1823. Conducting a successful campaign against the Portuguese, he was made Marquis of Maranho by Emperor Pedro I. After putting down a rebellion the following year, he made claims that a large amount of prize money was owed to him and the fleet. When this was not forthcoming, he and his men seized the public funds in So Luà ­s do Maranho and looted the ships in the harbor before leaving for Britain. Reaching Europe, he briefly led Greek naval forces in 1827-1828 during their struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire. Later Life: Returning to Britain, Cochrane was finally pardoned in May 1832 at a meeting of the Privy Council. Though restored to the Navy List with a promotion to rear admiral, he refused to accept a command until his knighthood was returned. This did not occur until Queen Victoria reinstated him as a knight in the Order of Bath in 1847. Now a vice admiral, Cochrane served as commander in chief of the North American and West Indies station from 1848-1851. Promoted to admiral in 1851, he was given the honorary title of Rear Admiral of the United Kingdom three years later. Troubled by kidney stones, he died during an operation on October 31, 1860. One of the most daring commanders of the Napoleonic Wars, Cochrane inspired such notable fictional characters as C.S. Foresters Horatio Hornblower and Patrick OBrians Jack Aubrey. Selected Sources National Maritime Museum: Admiral Lord Thomas CochraneWestminster Abbey: Lord Thomas Cochrane

10 Traits That Will Kill Your Career

10 Traits That Will Kill Your Career You know the basic rules: don’t lie or cheat or embezzle from the company. But there are a few character flaws and personal patterns or habits that could also seriously hinder your progress- and even kill your career. Most people don’t even realize they’re doing themselves or their careers harm until it’s far too late. And most careers aren’t impacted by one big mistake or one cringeworthy comment. It happens little by little, in ways you might not expect. So keep an eye out for these subtle traits and traps that could already be bringing you down.1. NarcissismIf you’re just thinking about yourself and how you can succeed, that’s self-absorption in the highest. You’ll go farther in your career if you consider how to help the company get ahead- and the company is made of people. It’s not all about you. Focus on being a better team player. In a rising tide, all boats rise.2. DishonestyIt doesn’t have to be one big wh opper to count as lying. In fact, it’s often the smaller fibs around the edges that create a pattern making for a person a boss would likely write off as â€Å"dishonest.† Cultivate honesty as a virtue and a character trait. Be tactful, but not obsequious. Have the courage to accept responsibility when things are your fault. And keep your mouth shut- don’t spread rumors about your coworkers or friends.3.  Making False PromisesYou either over-promise or under-deliver, but either way, you’re falling short of expectations and failing to do what you said you’d accomplish. Set reasonable, achievable goals for yourself. Make promises only that you’re certain you can keep. That way, if you get more done faster, you can give your boss a pleasant surprise instead of having to underperform.4. ComplacencyOtherwise known as: laziness. When was the last time you learned a new skill or took a refresher or other training course? When was the last time yo u certified yourself in something new? Or really dug into industry research to keep yourself on the cutting edge? If you don’t grow, you won’t be challenged and you won’t change. And you’ll never get ahead.5. PessimismNobody likes a Debbie Downer. If you find yourself focusing more on the negative side of everything, don’t be surprised when no one wants to work with you- and your boss doesn’t particularly want to see you succeed.6. ApathyEven worse than being negative or pessimistic is being apathetic. If you can’t bring yourself to care one way or the other, how can you expect anyone to trust you or want to work with you? Even if you hate your job, give it your best and move on. Otherwise you’ll be stuck, you’ll get a bad reputation, and you’ll never get ahead.7. Fear of changeKeep your eye on the prize, the big picture. Weigh your daily and monthly priorities against your long-term goals. And don’t be afr aid of changes in your company or industry. Learn to be adaptable. Roll with the tides. Don’t ever hear yourself saying, â€Å"But we’ve always done it this way.† Learn to grow and adapt as things progress- and keep your biggest dreams in the back of your mind at all times. Be flexible. Embrace the ever-changing nature of the working world.8. EgoYou get a little success, it goes to your head, and all of a sudden you’re the star of every show. You’re arrogant. Full of yourself. Cocky. You’re doing nothing but setting yourself up for a rather painful failure.9. InsecurityWhether this manifests as meekness, arrogance, envy, pessimism, oversensitivity†¦ it doesn’t matter. Do what you have to do to be more confident in your own abilities and career position. Go to therapy. This trait makes a negative impact across all areas of your life- not just your job. And it’s not a good enough excuse for the behavior it tends to cause.10. Sucking upNobody likes a brown-noser. You’re not showing real respect or building a relationship; you’re a big phony going about things the underhanded way. Earn your boss’s respect the honest way. Prove your merit. Help your team. Show don’t tell.Once you’ve got all of this down,  the next step is to make sure you don’t let any of your biases impact your decisions. In order to effectively develop your career, it’s important to admit you have biases and learn to correct them. The more objective you are, the better your decisions will be.

The business of goodwill - Emphasis

The business of goodwill The business of goodwill It’s that magical time of year again. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose and – quite possibly – being thrown together with people you have nothing more in common with than blood. And, as anyone who has grin-and-borne-it through a stressful or tedious family gathering can verify, if Christmas is actually going to be a time of peace on Earth, it wont be without a bit of effort (and a fair bit of eggnog). Which is why we’re about to suggest something a little radical: writer-focused reading. Now, we still stand firmly by the idea of reader-centred writing: by concentrating on the recipient’s needs and situation, you’re guaranteed to produce the best response in them with your document. Yet what about when it’s too late for that? The deed is done, and now you’re the reader stuck with the stressful and tedious task of untangling what the author actually meant to say. Well, before you escalate the situation and potentially sever a business relationship for good, here’s one for the season of goodwill: focus on the writer. Although of course not a business matter, the accidentally offensive letter Gordon Brown sent to the mother of Jamie Janes, the young soldier killed in Afghanistan earlier this year, is one such example. While a tragic and delicate subject like this should naturally be handled with the utmost care, in the reading it might also be considered in context: that the blind in one eye, half-blind in the other leader of the country took the time personally to hand-write a letter of condolence, most likely with the best of intentions. So, if you are the poor reader and you have the seeds of a scornful comeback sprouting in your head – hold on. First, consider your answers to our writer-profile questionnaire: 1. Â   Â   Â  Think about the document you’ve received. What is its subject? 2. Â   Â   Â  Who wrote it? 3. Â   Â   Â  How much did they know about the subject? 4. Â   Â   Â  What was their likely attitude towards it? 5. Â   Â   Â  How involved in the subject are they? 6. Â   Â   Â  How important is the subject to them? 7. Â   Â   Â  How interested in the subject are they? 8. Â   Â   Â  Do you have any other relevant knowledge about their situation (work-related or otherwise)? 9. Â   Â   Â  What is your relationship like with the author? 10. Â   Â   Â  How important is maintaining a good relationship with the writer of the document to you and your company? After you’ve answered these questions, you may have a better understanding of the writer’s position and motivations. You may be feeling calmer and more forgiving (you have, after all, just counted to ten). You may even have just saved an important business connection. So treat yourself to a cup of eggnog. And don’t worry: the season will be over before you know it.

Econonics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Econonics - Essay Example This phenomenon is called the income effect. Similarly, when the price of a particular product increases certain person opt to switch to any other low priced substitute goods. This is called the substitution effect. This clearly explains that there is a relation between income effect and substitution effect. That is, the substitution effect occurs as result of income effect. 2. Explain, using an income compensated demand curve, how a per unit tax on a good can reduce its consumption even if the government uses the tax revenue to make consumers as well off as they were before the tax was imposed. The tax impact should be met by the consumers themselves. If there are any changes in the price of a commodity, it will ultimately affect the demand of such a product, and finally the income of the buyer also. There is an inverse relation between the demand and supply, but the price factor is also playing a key role in this context. If there is an increase in the price of a commodity, the total income level of the consumer will be affected. "As shown in the Calculus of Hedonism, economists derive the individual demand curve from individual utility maps. Normally this results in the desired downward-sloping demand function, but there is a fly in the ointment to dispose of, since it is possible, though difficult, to draw a utility map which results in an upward sloping demand curve." Upward Sloping Demand Curve with Inferior goods. Separating the impact of a price change into the "income" and "substitution" effects Compensated demand curve slopes downwards (Keen 2000). Thus it becomes apparent that if any changes take place in the price pattern of a commodity, there should be a corresponding change in the income level of the consumer. 3. Explain, using consumer theory, why it might benefit companies (for example, mobile phone companies) to offer a menu of price and service options to consumers Every consumer has his or her own rights to select the goods according to his or her taste and preferences. Consumers should give emphasis for the quality of goods and the price affordability. The consumer theory gives more focus on the concept of effective utilization of purchased goods and thereby the attainment of satisfaction. Utility Function Optimization Model (Mylonakis 2004). The applicability of consumer theory is very beneficial in the case of cutthroat competition. Due to recent technological advancements, nowadays mobile phone companies are also functioning on the basis of modern economic principles. "Mobile commerce opportunities cover mobile initiatives that are designed to achieve strategic change in downstream activities through direct interaction with the customer. Customer knowledge must reach all the necessary parts of a mobile company to be useful, such as through an electronic knowledge repository. But mobile services involve more than just sending knowledge. They incorporate both technical and cultural challenges. To deliver superior service

Performance management plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Performance management plan - Essay Example Conclusions and recommendations 11 7. References 13 8. Appendices 15 I. Tables 15 II. Figures 17 Executive Summary: The report is an analysis of performance management system at the multinational IT giant Accenture. The analysis was carried out on the basis of learning from literature related to a comprehensive performance management. Literature teachings highlight following points about effective performance management: 1. Performance management is a comprehensive process of assessing organizational performance with respect to all its stakeholders. 2. The Balanced Score Card system provides a comprehensive and flexible framework to translate organizational strategies to measurable objectives. 3. The Management By Objectives approach provides a good model to manage performance at individual level. 4. Performance measurement is only a part of performance management. 5. Performance management comprises of all activities that enhance employee motivation, commitment, performance and lear ning. Thus, approaches such as performance appraisals, performance development plans, feedback, performance review etc should focus towards enhancing employee commitment, motivation, performance and learning. These points have been applied to performance management system at Accenture in order to assess its, and the same is validated with information obtained from web sources related to the company. 1. Introduction Effective performance management

Week 8 diss 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 8 diss 2 - Essay Example Cybercrime is criminal activity which makes use of the computer and the internet. This includes the illegal downloading of music or video files, creating and distributing viruses on computers and may be as grave as stealing millions from online bank accounts (TechTerms.com, n.d.). It differs from insider trading in that it uses the computer as a target, accessory or a weapon. (Cybercitizenship.org, n.d.). If the government will not control insider trading, there is a possibility that the stock market may crash, which will have a detrimental impact on the economy of a country. Furthermore, investors might think twice before investing in the stock market; thus, investments in the stock market may be scarce, again creating a negative impact on the economy. In October 2006, Megan Meier committed suicide as a result of a cruel cyber hoax (ABCNews.com, 2007). It started when Megan befriended a cute boy, Josh Evans on the social networking site MySpace. After more than a month-long relationship, Megan received an email from Josh stating that he did not want to be friends with her anymore because she was not nice to her friends. Megan saw several electronic bulletins posted saying nasty things about her. Megan could not handle the stress and depression; thus, she hanged herself in the

Bx3082 part2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6750 words

Bx3082 part2 - Essay Example The main barriers to entry are represented by the legislative requirements as per the Appellation dorigine contrà ´là ©e and the relevant business requirements. These issues will be addressed according to the requirements, and in conjunction with the Invest in France Agency, which will add valuable insight and assistance to establishing within the Burgundy region. The selected geographical location of operations stand to benefit in terms of reduced distribution costs by virtue of the existing location and infrastructure, whilst the staggered approach to location and facility development alleviates mass capital cash flow and enables the suitable implementation over the defined period. The selection of the Premier and Grand Cru farms, together with a professional winemaker and team, allow the company to produce a differentiated high quality Pinot Noir wine that can be marketed to the discerning individual and upper class establishments, ensuring the brand positioning within the competitive wine