England's other hero. May I suggest Lord Collingwood. Born in Newcastle-on-Tyne, he was definitely English.

He was Nelson's no. 2 at Trafalgar and took command on Nelson's death, successfully ensuring that the British Fleet survived the gales after the battle. He is considered Nelson's equal in seamanship, though maybe not as daring.

After Trafalgar he was promoted to Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean fleet and proved himself an effective diplomat as well as a fine sailor. The Admiralty refused to let him retire when his health began to fail "on the ground that his country could not dispense with his services." It is thought he was kept in post to prevent a member of the Royal Family (I did hear who, but I have forgotten now) succeeding him because of the rule of seniority in promotion, said member of the Royal family being incompetent. He died of cancer in service.

He is celebrated round Tyneside with streets being named after him and there is large statue of him at Tynemouth. He seems relatively little known outside of his native Tyneside, in spite of his record with Nelson taking all the glory.