Charles Herbert (Royal Navy officer)

The Honourable Charles Herbert (5 July 1774 – 12 September 1808) was a British Royal Navy officer, and the son of Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of Carnarvon. He rose to the rank of post-captain, enjoyed a successful series of frigate commands, but drowned on 12 September 1808.

Family
Charles Herbert was the second son of Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of Carnarvon and Lady Elizabeth Alicia Maria Wyndham. He married The Honourable Bridget Augusta Byng, daughter of John Byng, 5th Viscount Torrington on 9 July 1806. They had one daughter, Augusta Elizabeth Herbert.

Naval career
Promoted to post-captain in 1795, he commanded the 28-gun sixth rate Amphitrite, and the frigates Amelia and Uranie. Although moderately successful with prize money in both Amphitrite and Uranie, Amelia scored capture after capture during his years in command, and must have netted him a considerable fortune in prize money.

Member of Parliament
He was elected as Member of Parliament for Wilton in the General Election of 1806, and was re-elected in the General Election of 1807. He held the post until his death in 1808, after which the seat lay vacant. He also accepted the Office of Steward of His Majesty's Manor of East Hundred, in the County of Berkshire.

Death
Captain Herbert drowned on 12 September 1808 aged 34.