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John Forbes (admiral)
Encyclopedia
Admiral of the Fleet
John Forbes (17 July 1714 – 10 March 1796), styled The Honourable from 1734, was a British naval commander during the War of the Austrian Succession
.
as the second son of George Forbes
, third earl of Granard
and Mary, née Stewart (1672/3–1758), who was the eldest daughter of William
, first Viscount Mountjoy
. John followed his father into the Navy, joining the 70-gun third rate HMS Burford
on 31 May 1726, at the age of 12. He served as a volunteer under the command of his maternal uncle, the Honourable Charles Stewart. He served with the Burford in the Mediterranean, before moving with his uncle to HMS Lion
, and the two sailed together to the West Indies in 1729. Whilst serving here, Stewart promoted Forbes to lieutenant.
His first commission was as third lieutenant to the 60-gun HMS Kingston
, which he joined on 13 January 1733. He was then appointed the following year to the post of fourth lieutenant on the larger 70-gun HMS Edinburgh
. On 21 July he joined the 100-gun first rate HMS Britannia
as sixth lieutenant, rising to third lieutenant by May 1735. The Britannia was at this time the flagship
of Sir John Norris, and Forbes sailed with him on an expedition to Lisbon
to support the Portuguese
in the face of a Spanish
threat.
looming and a war with Spain considered imminent, Forbes was appointed to command HMS Severn at Plymouth
, and was moved to HMS Tyger
on 30 June 1740. The Tyger was an unhappy ship, the crew having outstanding grievances over their claim to prize money. Before Forbes could attempt a solution, he was moved to the recently rebuilt 50-gun HMS Guernsey
on 10 August, the day before she was to be relaunched at Chatham
. Forbes sailed the Guernsey to the Nore
, and by 15 September was occupied recruiting seamen. He then carried out a number of short voyages to the Netherlands
and Ireland
, before sailing to Gibraltar
with a convoy in February 1741. The voyage was plagued with sickness, but Forbes remained on convoy duty, sailing between Gibraltar and the Mediterranean squadron.
Forbes was appointed to command the 80-gun HMS Norfolk
in 1742 by Admiral Thomas Mathews
. Whilst commanding her, Forbes fought in the Battle of Toulon
on 11 February 1744. Forbes in the Norfolk led Mathews aboard HMS Namur
in the line of battle and followed Mathews' example in bearing down on the enemy. After two hours of fighting, the Norfolk drove her opposite number out of the line, but Forbes did not pursue her, instead holding the British line. Poor health was increasingly affecting him however, and in August 1744 he received permission from Mathews to resign his command and visit the spas at Montferrat
. After seeking treatment he returned to England and was called upon to give evidence against Vice-Admiral Richard Lestock
in the court-martial
that took place between March and June 1746, following the parliamentary inquiry
into the battle.
in the Mediterranean. He was made rear-admiral of the white on 12 May 1748 and took over command of the Mediterranean squadron on 8 August, after Byng had returned to England. Forbes would also later return. He was still suffering from persistent ill health and so rejected an offer to take a command in the East Indies
in 1754. He would never serve at sea again, but still continued to harbour political and professional ambitions. He was made vice-admiral of the blue on 6 January 1755 and was twice elected to the Parliament of Ireland
, for St Johnstown (County Longford)
in 1751 and subsequently for Mullingar
in 1761. Unlike his father though, he did not take up a seat in the Westminster
House of Commons.
, who had been an important figure in the opposition to Walpole
. John became associated with the Grenvilles
and William Pitt
. Pitt formed his first ministry in November 1756 and Forbes was appointed to the Admiralty
board in December. After Pitt's dismissal in April 1757 Forbes left the board, only returning when the Newcastle/Pitt Ministry was formed in June. During this period the execution of Vice-Admiral John Byng
was held. Forbes was convinced of the illegality of the judgement and refused to sign the death warrant
.
. He had wide-ranging duties and was a well-respected figure. He served on the board until April 1763. On 1 May he received the sinecure
of general of marines
, and became admiral of the white on 18 October 1770. His final promotion was to admiral of the fleet
on 24 October 1781, after the death of Lord Hawke
.
, on 2 September 1758. The marriage produced twin daughters in January 1761. His wife died on 9 April 1782 and was buried in the Essex family vault in the parish church of St Mary's, Watford
.
By the time of his retirement, Forbes' long life had made him an expert on the Hanoverian
navy, which he passed on to his friend, the naval antiquary William Locker
. John Forbes died on 10 March 1796 and was buried next to his wife on 18 March.
Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)
Admiral of the fleet is the highest rank of the British Royal Navy and other navies, which equates to the NATO rank code OF-10. The rank still exists in the Royal Navy but routine appointments ceased in 1996....
John Forbes (17 July 1714 – 10 March 1796), styled The Honourable from 1734, was a British naval commander during the War of the Austrian Succession
War of the Austrian Succession
The War of the Austrian Succession – including King George's War in North America, the Anglo-Spanish War of Jenkins' Ear, and two of the three Silesian wars – involved most of the powers of Europe over the question of Maria Theresa's succession to the realms of the House of Habsburg.The...
.
Family and early years
Forbes was born at MinorcaMinorca
Min Orca or Menorca is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. It takes its name from being smaller than the nearby island of Majorca....
as the second son of George Forbes
George Forbes, 3rd Earl of Granard
George Forbes, 3rd Earl of Granard PC was an Anglo-Irish naval commander and diplomat.-Life:He was the son of Arthur Forbes, 2nd Earl of Granard, by his wife Mary, daughter of Sir George Rawdon, 1st Baronet, of Moira, county Down, was born in Ireland 21 October 1685, and was for a time at the...
, third earl of Granard
Earl of Granard
Earl of Granard is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1684 for Arthur Forbes, 1st Viscount Granard. He was a Lieutenant-General in the army and served as Marshal of the Army in Ireland after The Restoration and was later Lord Justice of Ireland...
and Mary, née Stewart (1672/3–1758), who was the eldest daughter of William
William Stewart, 1st Viscount Mountjoy
William Stewart, 1st Viscount Mountjoy , was an Anglo-Irish peer and soldier.Steawrt was born in 1653, the son of Sir Alexander Stewart, 2nd Baronet, of Ramelton. He married the Honourable Mary Coote, daughter of Richard Coote, 1st Lord Coote, Baron Coloony...
, first Viscount Mountjoy
Baron Mountjoy
The titles of Baron Mountjoy and Viscount Mountjoy have been created several times for members of two separate families: the Blounts and their descendants and the Stewarts of Ramelton and their descendants....
. John followed his father into the Navy, joining the 70-gun third rate HMS Burford
HMS Burford (1722)
HMS Burford was a 70-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Deptford Dockyard to the 1719 Establishment, and launched on 19 July 1722...
on 31 May 1726, at the age of 12. He served as a volunteer under the command of his maternal uncle, the Honourable Charles Stewart. He served with the Burford in the Mediterranean, before moving with his uncle to HMS Lion
HMS Lion (1709)
HMS Lion was a 60-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Chatham Dockyard to the 1706 Establishment and launched on 20 January 1709....
, and the two sailed together to the West Indies in 1729. Whilst serving here, Stewart promoted Forbes to lieutenant.
His first commission was as third lieutenant to the 60-gun HMS Kingston
HMS Kingston (1697)
HMS Kingston was a 60-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Frame in Hull and launched on 13 March 1697. She had an eventful career, taking part in numerous engagements.-Career:...
, which he joined on 13 January 1733. He was then appointed the following year to the post of fourth lieutenant on the larger 70-gun HMS Edinburgh
HMS Warspite (1666)
HMS Warspite was a 70-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched in 1666 at Blackwall Yard. This second Warspite was one of the five ships designed to carry more provisions and lower deck guns higher above the water than French and Dutch equivalents...
. On 21 July he joined the 100-gun first rate HMS Britannia
HMS Britannia (1682)
HMS Britannia was a 100-gun first rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Phineas Pett II at Chatham Dockyard, and launched in 1682....
as sixth lieutenant, rising to third lieutenant by May 1735. The Britannia was at this time the flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
of Sir John Norris, and Forbes sailed with him on an expedition to Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
to support the Portuguese
Kingdom of Portugal
The Kingdom of Portugal was Portugal's general designation under the monarchy. The kingdom was located in the west of the Iberian Peninsula, Europe and existed from 1139 to 1910...
in the face of a Spanish
Enlightenment Spain
The Age of Enlightenment came to Spain in the eighteenth century with a new Bourbon dynasty after the decay of the Spanish economy, bureaucracy, and empire in the latter years of the former Habsburg dynasty...
threat.
Rising through the ranks
Impressed with his services, Norris appointed Forbes captain of the 32-gun HMS Poole on 7 March 1737. Forbes returned to England with Norris, escorting the Britannia. On 3 October Forbes received the command of the 20-gun HMS Port Mahon and was sent to serve on the Irish Station. By 10 August 1739, with the War of the Austrian SuccessionWar of the Austrian Succession
The War of the Austrian Succession – including King George's War in North America, the Anglo-Spanish War of Jenkins' Ear, and two of the three Silesian wars – involved most of the powers of Europe over the question of Maria Theresa's succession to the realms of the House of Habsburg.The...
looming and a war with Spain considered imminent, Forbes was appointed to command HMS Severn at Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, and was moved to HMS Tyger
HMS Tyger (1647)
HMS Tyger, often spelled Tiger, was a 38-gun fourth rate frigate of the Royal Navy, built by Peter Pett II at Woolwich and launched in 1647. The term 'frigate' during the period of this ship referred to a method of construction, rather than a role which did not develop until the following century...
on 30 June 1740. The Tyger was an unhappy ship, the crew having outstanding grievances over their claim to prize money. Before Forbes could attempt a solution, he was moved to the recently rebuilt 50-gun HMS Guernsey
HMS Guernsey (1696)
HMS Guernsey was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Blackwall Yard in 1696.She was rebuilt according to the 1706 Establishment at Woolwich Dockyard, and was relaunched on 24 October 1717. On 23 February 1737 orders were issued for Guernsey to be taken to pieces and...
on 10 August, the day before she was to be relaunched at Chatham
Chatham Dockyard
Chatham Dockyard, located on the River Medway and of which two-thirds is in Gillingham and one third in Chatham, Kent, England, came into existence at the time when, following the Reformation, relations with the Catholic countries of Europe had worsened, leading to a requirement for additional...
. Forbes sailed the Guernsey to the Nore
Nore
The Nore is a sandbank at the mouth of the Thames Estuary, England. It marks the point where the River Thames meets the North Sea, roughly halfway between Havengore Creek in Essex and Warden Point in Kent....
, and by 15 September was occupied recruiting seamen. He then carried out a number of short voyages to the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, before sailing to Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
with a convoy in February 1741. The voyage was plagued with sickness, but Forbes remained on convoy duty, sailing between Gibraltar and the Mediterranean squadron.
Forbes was appointed to command the 80-gun HMS Norfolk
HMS Norfolk (1693)
HMS Norfolk was an 80-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. She was built at Southampton and launched on 28 March 1693, and was the first ship to bear the name. She was rebuilt at Plymouth according to the 1719 Establishment, and was re-launched on 21 September 1728...
in 1742 by Admiral Thomas Mathews
Thomas Mathews
Thomas Mathews was a British officer of the Royal Navy, who rose to the rank of admiral.Mathews joined the navy in 1690 and saw service on a number of ships, including during the Nine Years' War and the War of the Spanish Succession. He interspersed periods spent commanding ships with time at home...
. Whilst commanding her, Forbes fought in the Battle of Toulon
Battle of Toulon (1744)
The naval Battle of Toulon or Battle of Cape Sicié took place on 22 February 1744 in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Toulon, France. A combined Franco-Spanish fleet fought off Britain's Mediterranean fleet...
on 11 February 1744. Forbes in the Norfolk led Mathews aboard HMS Namur
HMS Namur (1697)
HMS Namur was a 90-gun second rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Woolwich Dockyard in 1697.On 11 June 1723 she was ordered to be taken to pieces and rebuilt at Deptford, according to the 1719 Establishment. She was relaunched on 13 September 1729. In 1745, she was razeed to 74...
in the line of battle and followed Mathews' example in bearing down on the enemy. After two hours of fighting, the Norfolk drove her opposite number out of the line, but Forbes did not pursue her, instead holding the British line. Poor health was increasingly affecting him however, and in August 1744 he received permission from Mathews to resign his command and visit the spas at Montferrat
Montferrat
Montferrat is part of the region of Piedmont in Northern Italy. It comprises roughly the modern provinces of Alessandria and Asti. Montferrat is one of the most important wine districts of Italy...
. After seeking treatment he returned to England and was called upon to give evidence against Vice-Admiral Richard Lestock
Richard Lestock
Richard Lestock was an officer in the Royal Navy, eventually rising to the rank of Admiral. He fought in a number of battles, and was a controversial figure, most remembered for his part in the defeat at the Battle of Toulon, and the subsequent court-martial.-Family and early years:Lestock is...
in the court-martial
Court-martial
A court-martial is a military court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment.Most militaries maintain a court-martial system to try cases in which a breach of...
that took place between March and June 1746, following the parliamentary inquiry
Public inquiry
A Tribunal of Inquiry is an official review of events or actions ordered by a government body in Common Law countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland or Canada. Such a public inquiry differs from a Royal Commission in that a public inquiry accepts evidence and conducts its hearings in a more...
into the battle.
Advance to admiral and political career
Forbes was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral of the blue on 15 July 1747, and dispatched to serve as second in command to Vice-Admiral John ByngJohn Byng
Admiral John Byng was a Royal Navy officer. After joining the navy at the age of thirteen he participated at the Battle of Cape Passaro in 1718. Over the next thirty years he built up a reputation as a solid naval officer and received promotion to Vice-Admiral in 1747...
in the Mediterranean. He was made rear-admiral of the white on 12 May 1748 and took over command of the Mediterranean squadron on 8 August, after Byng had returned to England. Forbes would also later return. He was still suffering from persistent ill health and so rejected an offer to take a command in the East Indies
East Indies
East Indies is a term used by Europeans from the 16th century onwards to identify what is now known as Indian subcontinent or South Asia, Southeastern Asia, and the islands of Oceania, including the Malay Archipelago and the Philippines...
in 1754. He would never serve at sea again, but still continued to harbour political and professional ambitions. He was made vice-admiral of the blue on 6 January 1755 and was twice elected to the Parliament of Ireland
Parliament of Ireland
The Parliament of Ireland was a legislature that existed in Dublin from 1297 until 1800. In its early mediaeval period during the Lordship of Ireland it consisted of either two or three chambers: the House of Commons, elected by a very restricted suffrage, the House of Lords in which the lords...
, for St Johnstown (County Longford)
St Johnstown (County Longford) (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
St Johnstown was a constituency in County Longford represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.-1692–1801:...
in 1751 and subsequently for Mullingar
Mullingar (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Mullingar was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons from 1612 to 1800.-1692–1801:...
in 1761. Unlike his father though, he did not take up a seat in the Westminster
Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, is the meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom—the House of Lords and the House of Commons...
House of Commons.
Political intrigues
His father's political connection had been with the Duke of ArgyllJohn Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll
Field Marshal John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, 1st Duke of Greenwich KG , known as Iain Ruaidh nan Cath or Red John of the Battles, was a Scottish soldier and nobleman.-Early Life:...
, who had been an important figure in the opposition to Walpole
Robert Walpole
Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, KG, KB, PC , known before 1742 as Sir Robert Walpole, was a British statesman who is generally regarded as having been the first Prime Minister of Great Britain....
. John became associated with the Grenvilles
Grenvillite
The Grenvillites or Grenvilles were a name given to several British political factions of the 18th and early-19th centuries, all associated with the important Grenville family of Buckinghamshire.-Overview:...
and William Pitt
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham PC was a British Whig statesman who led Britain during the Seven Years' War...
. Pitt formed his first ministry in November 1756 and Forbes was appointed to the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
board in December. After Pitt's dismissal in April 1757 Forbes left the board, only returning when the Newcastle/Pitt Ministry was formed in June. During this period the execution of Vice-Admiral John Byng
John Byng
Admiral John Byng was a Royal Navy officer. After joining the navy at the age of thirteen he participated at the Battle of Cape Passaro in 1718. Over the next thirty years he built up a reputation as a solid naval officer and received promotion to Vice-Admiral in 1747...
was held. Forbes was convinced of the illegality of the judgement and refused to sign the death warrant
Execution warrant
An execution warrant is a writ which authorizes the execution of a judgment of death on an individual...
.
Later life
On 5 February 1758 Forbes became admiral of the blue and continued to sit on the Board of Admiralty, eventually as one of the Lord CommissionersLord Commissioner of the Admiralty
The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were the members of the Board of Admiralty, which exercised command over the Royal Navy.Officially known as the Commissioners for Exercising the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland &c. The Lords...
. He had wide-ranging duties and was a well-respected figure. He served on the board until April 1763. On 1 May he received the sinecure
Sinecure
A sinecure means an office that requires or involves little or no responsibility, labour, or active service...
of general of marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
, and became admiral of the white on 18 October 1770. His final promotion was to admiral of the fleet
Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)
Admiral of the fleet is the highest rank of the British Royal Navy and other navies, which equates to the NATO rank code OF-10. The rank still exists in the Royal Navy but routine appointments ceased in 1996....
on 24 October 1781, after the death of Lord Hawke
Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke
Admiral of the Fleet Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke KB, PC was an officer of the Royal Navy. He is best remembered for his service during the Seven Years' War, particularly his victory over a French fleet at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759, preventing a French invasion of Britain...
.
Personal life and death
Forbes married Lady Mary Capell (1722–1782), the daughter of the third earl of EssexWilliam Capell, 3rd Earl of Essex
William Capell, 3rd Earl of Essex, KG, PC was the son of the 2nd Earl of Essex.Capell was one of the founding governors of the charity, the Foundling Hospital, created in October 1739 to care for abandoned children....
, on 2 September 1758. The marriage produced twin daughters in January 1761. His wife died on 9 April 1782 and was buried in the Essex family vault in the parish church of St Mary's, Watford
Watford
Watford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
.
By the time of his retirement, Forbes' long life had made him an expert on the Hanoverian
House of Hanover
The House of Hanover is a deposed German royal dynasty which has ruled the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg , the Kingdom of Hanover, the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
navy, which he passed on to his friend, the naval antiquary William Locker
William Locker (Royal Navy)
William Locker was an officer in the Royal Navy, who served with distinction during the eighteenth century. He rose to the rank of captain and held the posts of flag captain and commodore.-Family and early years:...
. John Forbes died on 10 March 1796 and was buried next to his wife on 18 March.