NAPIER, Sir Charles, British naval officer, born in Merchistoun Hall, Stirlingshire, Scotland, 6 March, 1786; died in London, 8 November, 1860. He was a grandson of the fifth Lord Napier, and a lineal descendant of the inventor of the Napierian logarithms. He entered the navy as midshipman in 1799, was promoted lieutenant in 1805, and sent to the West Indies, where he served in the operations against the French, and, being appointed commander of the brig "Recruit," captured Fort Edouard at the entrance of Fort de France, and otherwise contributed to the success of the Martinique expedition in 1809. After a successful cruise against French vessels, he was promoted commander by Admiral Cochrane in August, 1809. and in 1811 was employed in Portugal and Mong the coast of southern Italy, capturing Ponza island. He was attached in 1813 to the North American squadron, and took an active part in the war against the United States, serving on Lake Chain-plain under Commander Downie, in the expedition up Potomac river in August, i814, bombarded Alexandria, commanded the long-boats during the operations against Baltimore in September, 1814, and assisted also at the battle of New Orleans. He was made a K. C. B., and in 1829, being given a special mission to Portugal, entered the navy of that country as vice-admiral, defeated off Cape St. Vincent, 3 July, 1833, the forces of Dora Miguel, and was created Viscount of St. Vincent and a grandee of the first class in Portugal. He obtained his reinstatement in the British navy in 1834, became commodore in 1839, participated in the storming of Sidon in September, 1840, and that of Acre in October, and was promoted rear-admiral in 1841. He also represented Marylebone in parliament in 184l-'7, became vice-admiral of the blue in May, 1853, bombarded Bomarsund in 1854, and was pro-rooted, in June, 1858, admiral of the blue. Among his works are " The Navy, its Past and Present State" (London. 1831); "The War in Syria" (1842) ; and " My Own Life" (1856).