John Montagu (governor)
Encyclopedia
Admiral John Montagu (1719–1795) was a naval officer and colonial governor of Newfoundland.
in 1733.
He was promoted lieutenant in 1740 and served on and, in 1744, was present at the Battle off Toulon
. In 1757 he was present at the execution of Admiral John Byng
. Promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1770, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the North American Station from 1771 to 1774.
He was promoted Vice-Admiral in 1776 and then appointed Governor and commander-in-chief
of Newfoundland. Montagu captured St. Pierre and Miquelon for the British
and defended Newfoundland from both French
and American
privateers. By his swift actions he had prevented the French from capturing Carbonear
and Harbour Grace
.
In 1783 he was made Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
. His honorary appointments included Admiral of the Blue in 1782 and Admiral of the White in 1787.
.
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Naval career
Montagu began his naval career in the Royal Naval Academy, PortsmouthRoyal Naval Academy
The Royal Naval Academy was established at Portsmouth Dockyard as a facility to train officers for the Royal Navy. The founders' intentions were to provide an alternative means to recruit officers and to provide standardised training, education and admission.-Training:In 1773, a shore side...
in 1733.
He was promoted lieutenant in 1740 and served on and, in 1744, was present at the Battle off 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...
. In 1757 he was present at the execution of 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...
. Promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1770, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the North American Station from 1771 to 1774.
He was promoted Vice-Admiral in 1776 and then appointed Governor and commander-in-chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
of Newfoundland. Montagu captured St. Pierre and Miquelon for the British
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
and defended Newfoundland from both French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
privateers. By his swift actions he had prevented the French from capturing Carbonear
Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador
Carbonear is a town on the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. As of 2006, there are 4,723 people living in Carbonear, down from 4,759 in 2001.-History:...
and Harbour Grace
Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador
Harbour Grace is a town in Conception Bay on the Avalon Peninsula in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. With roots dating back to the sixteenth century, it is one of the oldest towns in North America. It is located about 45 km northwest of the provincial capital, St. John's...
.
In 1783 he was made Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
The Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth was a senior commander of the Royal Navy for hundreds of years. Portsmouth Command was a name given to the units, establishments, and staff operating under the post.-History:...
. His honorary appointments included Admiral of the Blue in 1782 and Admiral of the White in 1787.
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 ArtilleryRoyal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
.
See also
- Governors of Newfoundland
- List of people of Newfoundland and Labrador
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