William Pryce Cumby

Who was William Pryce Cumby?

Captain William Pryce Cumby CB RN was an officer in the Royal Navy whose excellent service during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars was highlighted when he was thrust into the limelight following his service at the battle of Trafalgar. During the battle the French almost took his vessel, the ship of the line Bellerophon, but despite mounting casualties, heavy bombardment and the death of his captain John Cooke, then Lieutenant Cumby ably took command, leading a charge that cleared his decks of boarders. He then captured the enemy ship from which the attack had come.