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John BenbouA popular naval hero in England.
Date of Birth: 10.03.1653
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- A Popular English Naval Hero - John Benbow
- Early Life and Career
- Return to the West Indies
- Legacy and Death
A Popular English Naval Hero - John Benbow
John Benbow (1653-1702) was a popular English naval hero. His name became familiar to many readers through the inn named "Admiral Benbow" in Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Treasure Island". Benbow, a courageous sailor who died from battle wounds, gained fame as a maritime hero in England.
Early Life and Career
John Benbow was born on March 10, 1653, in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. The son of a tanner, he served on both military and merchant ships and became the captain of a seafaring vessel in 1689. As a skilled sailor, he participated in the destruction of the French fleet in the Battle of La Hogue in May 1692 under the command of Admiral Edward Russell. In November 1693, he bombarded the French port of Saint-Malo. Benbow then pursued French privateers in the English Channel. In 1696, while overseeing the docks at Deptford, he met with Peter the Great of Russia and even provided him with accommodation. In 1698, Benbow led a squadron to the West Indies and acted against the Spanish. He served as the commander of the English fleet in the West Indies from 1698 to 1700.
Return to the West Indies
Benbow returned to the West Indies as a vice admiral. In September 1701, following the start of the War of the Spanish Succession, King William III sent Benbow's squadron to capture Cartagena, a prominent trading center in the West Indies. On August 19, 1702, Benbow, commanding seven ships, engaged Jean-Bernard Louis Desjeans, Marquis de Duguay-Trouin's squadron north of Cartagena. The French were sent to deliver ammunition and support the fortress. Benbow fought for five days, but four of his ship captains disobeyed orders and withdrew from the battle. With the remaining forces, Benbow was unable to accomplish the mission. On August 24, due to the insubordination of two captains, Benbow's flagship, the HMS Breda, was surrounded by the French. Despite suffering a shattered right leg, Benbow remained on the quarterdeck, leading the fight. However, his ship was damaged, and the captains forced him to sail to Jamaica. The French managed to escape.
Legacy and Death
Before his death, Benbow received a letter from a French commodore with the following lines: "Yesterday, my only hope was to dine in your cabin. As for your cowardly captains, hang them, for they deserve it, I swear to God." Indeed, two captains were found guilty of disciplinary breaches and mistakes by a military court and were hanged. John Benbow died from his wounds on November 4, 1702, in Port Royal, Jamaica, and was buried in Kingston. Several ships of the British Royal Navy were named in his honor.
