Vice-Admiral Sir William Cornwallis (1744-1819) was a British naval officer. He is best known for a naval engagement with ships of the French Revolutionary Government that took place off the west coast of Brittany on 16-17 June 1795. His squadron of five ships was heavily outnumbered and attempted to escape, but on being overtaken by the French, turned to engage them and put up a fierce resistance. The French admiral withdrew and Cornwallis was able to return to Plymouth with his squadron battered but intact. The battle became known as “Cornwallis’s Retreat”.