Best of the Best: Admirals Trivia Quiz

Answer: Horatio Nelson

Horatio Nelson's resumé is very impressive, especially considering that he apparently suffered from chronic seasickness his entire life! He served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolution, the War of the First Coalition, Kandyan Wars, Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, War of the Second Coalition, and War of the Third Coalition.

It was during the War of the First Coalition that Nelson became known across Europe as the "Hero of the Nile". With the French Mediterranean Fleet destroyed, not only was the tide of the war in favor of the British, but other nations, like the Ottoman Empire, joined in the fight again Napoleon.

Many today still believe the Battle of the Nile was one of the Royal Navy's greatest victories.

Answer: Tōgō Heihachirō

Tōgō Heihachirō distinguished himself in a number of conflicts that included the Anglo-Satsuma War, Boshin War, First Sino-Japanese War, and the Russo-Japanese War. It is, however, his victory at the Battle of Tsushima during the Russo-Japanese War that he is best known.

The Russian Navy, considered to be the third best in the world at the time, was totally and utterly defeated by Tōgō's fleet; the Japanese lost only three torpedo boats, while the Russians were only able to retain control of three of their 36 ships. Tōgō was educated in England for seven years; he wrote in his journal, "I am firmly convinced that I am the re-incarnation of Horatio Nelson".

It was Western journalists, however, who gave him the sobriquet, "The Nelson of the East".

Answer: Zheng He

During the early part of the Ming Dynasty, Zheng He was commander of what was called the Treasure Fleet, a fleet of ships commissioned by the prince who eventually became the Yongle Emperor to establish foreign trading relations. It is said that on his first voyage, which traveled to India, Zheng He commanded a fleet of over 200 ships and 28,000 men. Making a total of seven voyages altogether, he traveled to Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and even as far away as Africa. Zheng He was also known as "San Bao", which means "Three Jewels", a reference to his practice of Buddhism.

The "Three Jewels" are the Buddha, the Dharma, or teachings, and the Sangha, or monastic community.

Answer: François Joseph Paul de Grasse

François Joseph Paul entered the French Navy in 1740 at the age of seventeen, and was instrumental in the rebuilding efforts that took place after France's defeat in the Seven Years' War. Eager to strike back at Britain, France came to the aid of the colonists during the American Revolution, eventually sending its fleet of ships, along with its best admiral. François Joseph Paul's most important contribution is said to have taken place at the Battle of the Chesapeake in 1781.

His successful blockade of the Atlantic Coast led to the defeat of General Cornwallis at Yorktown.

His nickname, "Comte" is a reference to the fact that de Grasse was a French count.

Answer: Christopher Columbus

Of course, Christopher Columbus made his mark on history with his "rediscovery" of the New World in 1492. Financed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, Columbus made four voyages of exploration, during which time he landed in the modern day areas of the Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, and parts of Central and South America.

Although he was not the first European to reach America - the Vikings were - his voyages set the stage for the future colonization of the area by European powers. As part of the terms that were agreed upon by Columbus and Ferdinand and Isabella, he was to be given the title "Admiral of the Ocean Sea", or "Great Admiral of the Ocean", along with a share of the wealth, and the right to rule the land he discovered.

Answer: Michiel de Ruyter

Michiel de Ruyter, a Dutch admiral, fought in the Portuguese Restoration War, as well as the First, Second, and Third Anglo-Dutch Wars, and the Franco-Dutch War. He is probably most famous, however, for the Four Days' Battle in 1666, and the Raid on the Medway, in 1667, which were naval battles fought during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. During the Four Days' Battle the English lost a total of 23 ships and 1550 men; the Raid on the Medway has been called one of the worst defeats in Royal Navy history by some historians. One of the founders of the Dutch Marine Corps in 1665, Michiel de Ruyter was highly respected by his sailors, who called him "Bestevaêr" or "Granddad" because of his humble nature and his consent to take on risky endeavors.

Answer: Yi Sun-sin

A Korean naval hero of the 16th century, Yi Sun-sin led the Korean Navy against the Japanese during the Imjin war. Without any real naval training, Yi Sun-sin had a string of twenty-three naval victories and was undefeated before his death in 1598. Known for inventing the turtle boat, a predecessor to today's submarine, he also invented a type of flame thrower which was successfully used in naval warfare.

After his death, the royal court bestowed on him the title "Chungmugong", which means "Duke of Loyalty and Warfare".

The title is still used today in South Korea, where it is considered to be the third highest military honor.

Answer: David Farragut

David Farragut fought in the War of 1812 when he was just twelve years old! After that, he commanded a ship that had orders to drive pirates out of the West Indies. He also served during the Mexican War and the American Civil War. His famous "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" was an order given at the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864.

The Union Navy won the battle, which, along with the capture of Atlanta, were credited with helping President Lincoln to be elected to a second term of office. Farragut's nickname, "Old Salamander", was earned at the Battle of New Orleans in 1862, when he successfully navigated his ships past two Confederate forts that had 700 men, 100 heavy guns, and 16 gunboats, taking the city of New Orleans.

He was the first Rear Admiral in U.S. Naval history.

Answer: Francis Drake

Francis Drake is known in history as being the first Englishman (second in the world to Magellan) to circumnavigate the world from, 1577-1580. In 1581 he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I aboard his famous ship, the Golden Hind. Was all this hoopla due to his circumnavigation feat? No! The Queen had given him license to plunder Spanish settlements along the way; it is estimated that he returned to England with more than 80 pounds of gold and 26 tons of silver! Spanish parents would tell their children fearsome stories of "El Draque", "the Dragon" just as modern parents tell their kids stories about the boogeyman.

The Spanish king put a bounty on Drake's head that was the equivalent of $6.5 million dollars in today's money. As if that wasn't enough fame and fortune for Drake, he also distinguished himself during the war of the Spanish Armada, striking a blow at Cadiz, Spain, in 1587, destroying 30-40 ships and tons of supplies before the Armada even made its way to England, distinguishing himself so successfully that Spanish sailors returned home saying that Drake "was a devil, and no man!"

Answer: Themistocles

While Themistocles may be better known as an Athenian general and statesman, he also advocated building the Athenian navy. When silver deposits were found near Athens, he convinced the people to build 200 warships. When the Oracle at Delphi was asked how to protect Greece during the Second Persian War, the reply, "Though all else shall be taken, Zeus, the all seeing, grants that the wooden wall only shall not fail", was interpreted by Themistocles as none other than the navy that had been under construction.

He was the admiral who led the Greek allied navy at the Battles of Artemisium and Salamis; the Battle of Salamis was considered to be the major turning point in the war with the defeat of the Persian navy. Themistocles received the nickname "The Just" as he had a reputation for being fair and honest.

Herodotus said that he was "the best and most honourable man in Athens".