John Montagu (Royal Navy officer)

Admiral John Montagu (1719 – 7 September 1795) was an Royal Navy officer, politician and colonial administrator who served as the governor of Newfoundland.

Admiral John Montagu
Portrait of Montagu by Richard Cosway
Born	1719 Lackham, Wiltshire
Died	7 September 1795(1795-09-07) (aged 75–76) Fareham, Hampshire
Allegiance	Great Britain
Branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1733–1795
Rank	Admiral
Commands	HMS Hinchinbrook HMS Rose HMS Ambuscade HMS Tilbury HMS Greenwich HMS Bristol HMS Kent HMS Mermaid HMS Elizabeth HMS Monarch HMS Raisonnable HMS Panther HMS Terrible HMS Newark HMS Princess Amelia HMS Magnanime HMS Dragon HMS Bellona Downs Station North American Station Newfoundland Station Portsmouth Command
Battles / wars	War of the Austrian Succession Battle of Toulon First Battle of Cape Finisterre Seven Years' War Battle of Cartagena Capture of Belle Île American Revolutionary War
Alma mater	Royal Naval Academy
Member of Parliament for Huntingdon
In office 1748–1754
Preceded by	2 MPs
Succeeded by	2 MPs

Naval career

He was born in 1719, son of James Montagu of Lackham, Lacock, 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 of 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]

In June 1772, Montagu was involved in the Gaspee Affair as the commanding officer of Lieutenant William Duddingston, where he unsuccessfully tried to identify and have prosecuted the raiders who attacked Dudingston's ship.^[3]

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.^[4] He was promoted to 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. His daughter Sophia lived at Dale Park and the house there was constructed for her and her husband.^[5]