Guest quoted:

Sir Edward Hawke (1710-1781) was, after Anson, the chief admiral of the late phase of the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748). He briefly assumed command of the Western Squadron when Vice Admiral Warren came down with scurvy. And, during what was supposed to be a minor tour of duty, the French tried to break a convoy out of Brest. Hawke caught up with them and won a brilliant victory at the second battle of Cape Finisterre in October 1747.

Hawke's exploits seem to have inspired several songs and poems; in addition to this and the broadside mentioned by Ben, C. H. Firth, _Publications of the Navy Records Society_ , 1907 (available on Google Books), p. 197, has an item called "Admiral Hawke," and on p. 217 prints "Hawke's Engagement," with "Lord Anson and Hawke" found on page 225. The Roud index lists a number of broadsides of "Admiral Hawke" and so forth. But this appears to be the only traditional song about Hawke, and even it barely survives. - RBW (Folklorist)

I would observe that I am the RBW of that particular citation, which this "Folklorist" quoted without permission. The Traditional Ballad Index generally allows people to use our work, but it should cite it! And people should certainly go back to the source.

"Warlike Seamen," with a much fuller biography of Saumarez, is at http://balladindex.org/Ballads/DTwarlik.html (which incidentally points to a Digital Tradition text of the song).

"Bold Hawke," which also has more information than is cited here, is at http://balladindex.org/Ballads/LeBe010.html.

And, of course, the whole Ballad Index is at http://balladindex.org