Captain Thomas Durell (1685-1741) was a British naval officer most famous for his role in the capture of the Spanish ship Princesa.

[4] After the Peace of Utrecht, which ended the War of the Spanish Succession, the British gained control of part of the Acadian lands in modern-day Nova Scotia.

Durell who was in command of HMS Seahorse under the orders of General Richard Philipps, who was the Governor of Nova Scotia, surveyed the coasts and harbours of the newly acquired colony.

This service was vital to the British governors; Durell's surveys were later used to create maps of Nova Scotia and the greater area.

Together the ships fought at close range with the Spanish man of war Princesa, which was captured and became HMS Princess.