Charles Saunders (Royal Navy officer)

Admiral Sir Charles Saunders, KB (c. 1715 – 7 December 1775) was a Royal Navy officer in the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War and later served as First Lord of the Admiralty. He was appointed to the Privy Council in 1766.

Early career
Saunders joined the Royal Navy in 1727. He later commanded HMS Gloucester and then HMS Yarmouth. He was Member of Parliament for Plymouth from 1750 to 1754 and then represented the Yorkshire borough of Hedon from 1754 until his death. In December 1755 he was made comptroller of the navy and in January 1756 and was sent to Gibraltar as Second in Command of the Mediterranean Fleet. In January 1757 he became Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet. He held the post until May 1757.

Seven Years war
He commanded the fleet which brought James Wolfe to Quebec in 1759 and consolidated the dead general's victory after the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.

In April 1760 he resumed his role as Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet and blockaded Cadiz preventing the French and Spanish fleets from sailing.

Cape Saunders, on the Otago coast of New Zealand, was named in his honour by Captain James Cook, who had served under Saunders in Canada.