Francesco Caracciolo (naval officer)

Caracciolo was born in Naples into an aristocratic family. It is likely that he was named after Francis Caracciolo, a saint of the Catholic Church and Francesco's ancestor. He joined the British Royal Navy and learned his seamanship under George Rodney. He fought with distinction in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War, against the Barbary pirates, and against the French Navy at the Battle of Genoa under Lord Hotham. The Bourbons placed the greatest confidence in his skill. ==To Sicily and back==

When on the approach of the French to Naples Ferdinand IV of Naples and Marie Caroline of Austria fled to Sicily on board Horatio Nelson's ship, (December 1798), Caracciolo escorted them on the frigate Sannita. He was the only prominent Neapolitan trusted by the king, but the admiral's loyalty was shaken by Ferdinand's flight. On reaching Palermo, Caracciolo asked permission to return to Naples to look after his own private affairs (January 1799). This was granted, but when he arrived at Naples he found all the aristocracy and educated middle classes infatuated with the French revolutionary ideas, and he himself was received with great enthusiasm. ==Republican service and capture==

He seems at first to have intended to live a retired life; but, finding that he must either join the Republican party or escape to Procida, then under British control, in which case his Neapolitan colleagues would regard him as a traitor and his property would have been confiscated, he was induced to adhere to the new order of things and took command of the republic's naval forces. Once at sea, he participated in naval operations against the British and Neapolitan navies and prevented the landing of some Royalist troops. A few days later, all the French troops in Naples, except 500 men, were recalled to the north of Italy. In July 1799, king Ferdinand IV signed the decree of suppression. ==Trial and execution==

, Admiral Francesco Caracciolo demanding Christian burial, 1889. Naples, National Museum of San Martino It is doubtful whether Caracciolo should have been included in the capitulation concluded with the Republicans in the castles, as that document promised life and liberty to those who surrendered before the blockade of the forts, whereas he was arrested afterwards, but as the whole capitulation was violated, the point is immaterial. Moreover, the admiral's fate was decided even before his capture; this is known because on 27 June, the British minister, Sir William Hamilton, had communicated to Nelson Mary Caroline's wish that Caracciolo should be hanged. As soon as he was brought on board, Nelson ordered Thurn to summon a court martial composed of Caracciolo's former officers, Thurn himself being a personal enemy of the accused. The court was held on board the Foudroyant, which was British territory. ==References ==