John Balchen
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Admiral Sir John Balchen (1670-October 4 1744) was a British naval officer.
He was made captain in 1697. In 1707 he was in command of HMS Chester, and during the Action of 21 October 1707 was captured along with his vessel. He was exchanged in late 1708 and honourably acquitted at a court martial.[1]
In October 1709, commanding the Gloucester, he was again captured by a fleet led by René Duguay-Trouin. At the Battle of Cape Passaro in 1718, he was in command of the Shrewsbury. He died on 4th October 1744, when his flagship the Victory was wrecked on the Casquets, off Alderney.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Ships of the 18th Century Royal Navy, C
- ^ "Balchen, Admiral Sir John". The Harmsworth Encyclopedia, 1904
