Vice-Admiral John Benbow was an English officer in the Royal Navy. He joined the navy aged 25 years, seeing action against Algerian pirates before leaving and joining the merchant navy in which he traded until the Glorious Revolution of 1688, whereupon he returned to the Royal Navy and was commissioned.
Benbow in 1701, by Sir Godfrey Kneller. He holds a simple officer's hanger.
Thomas Murray's triple portrait of Thomas Phillips (left), John Benbow (centre) and Sir Ralph Delaval (right). The three had been important figures in British fleet operations against the north coast of France during 1692–93.
Benbow's attack on Saint-Malo, where he blew up the machine ship Vesuvius, 1693
Benbow's bombardment of Dieppe in July 1694
The action of August 1702 was an inconclusive naval battle that took place from 19 to 25 August 1702 O.S. between an English squadron under Vice-Admiral John Benbow and a French under Admiral Jean du Casse, off Cape Santa Marta on the coast of present-day Colombia, South America, during the War of the Spanish Succession. Benbow vigorously attacked the French squadron, but the refusal of most of his captains to support the action allowed du Casse to escape. Benbow lost a leg during the engagement and died of illness about two months later. Two of the captains were convicted of cowardice and shot.
The injured Benbow continues to order the attack
