John Montagu (Royal Navy officer)

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John Montagu
Born 1719
Lackham, Wiltshire
Died 1795
Fareham, Hampshire
Allegiance  Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch  Royal Navy
Rank Admiral
Commands held North American Station
Portsmouth Command

Admiral John Montagu (1719–1795) was a naval officer and colonial governor of Newfoundland.

Naval career

He was born in 1719, son of James Montagu of Lackham in Wiltshire (died 1747), and great-grandson of James Montagu of Lackham (1602-1665), third son of Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester. [1] Montagu began his naval career in the Royal Naval Academy, Portsmouth on 14 August 1733.[2]

He was promoted lieutenant in 1740 and served on HMS Buckingham and, in 1744, was present at the Battle off Toulon.[2] In 1757 he was present at the execution of Admiral John Byng.[2] Promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1770, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the North American Station from 1771 to 1774.[2]

He was promoted Vice-Admiral in 1776 and then appointed Governor and commander-in-chief of Newfoundland.[2] Montagu captured St. Pierre and Miquelon for the British and defended Newfoundland from both French and American privateers.[2] By his swift actions he had prevented the French from capturing Carbonear and Harbour Grace.[2]

In 1783 he was made Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.[3] His honorary appointments included Admiral of the Blue in 1782 and Admiral of the White in 1787.[2]

Family

Montagu married Sophia Wroughton on 2 December 1748 and had one daughter and four sons. Of his sons, George and James became naval officers, while Edward became a lieutenant-colonel in the Royal Artillery.

References

See also

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Huntingdon
1748–1754
With: Edward Montagu
Succeeded by
Edward Montagu
Robert Jones
Military offices
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, North American Station
1771–1774
Succeeded by
Samuel Graves
Political offices
Preceded by Commodore Governor of Newfoundland
1776–1778
Succeeded by
Richard Edwards
Military offices
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
1783–1786
Succeeded by
Viscount Hood


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