John Graydon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Graydon
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John Graydon, portrait by Godfrey Kneller
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| Born | c. 1666 Holborn, London, England |
| Died | 12 March 1726 Fordwich, Kent |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of England Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy |
| Years of service | –1726 |
| Rank | Vice-admiral |
| Commands held | HMS Soldado HMS Defiance HMS Hampton Court HMS Vanguard HMS Assistance HMS Triumph HMS Lancaster Jamaica Station |
| Battles/wars | |
Vice-Admiral John Graydon (born around 1666 – died 12 March 1726) was an important English naval officer. He served in the Royal Navy during two major conflicts: the Nine Years War and the War of the Spanish Succession.
Contents
Early Service and Key Battles
John Graydon began his naval journey in June 1686. He was first appointed as a lieutenant on the ship HMS Charles Galley. By May 1688, he became the first lieutenant of HMS Mary.
Later that year, he was given command of the small 16-gun ship HMS Soldado. On this ship, he took part in the battle of Bantry Bay on 1 May 1689. Soon after, he was promoted to command HMS Defiance. He led this ship in the Battle of Beachy Head on 30 June 1690.
In 1692, Graydon commanded HMS Hampton Court during the action at Barfleur. From 1694 to 1695, he was in charge of the naval base at Portsmouth. He also served with the main fleet throughout 1695.
Rising Through the Ranks
From 1695 to 1697, Graydon commanded HMS Vanguard, also with the main fleet. In April 1701, while on HMS Assistance, he escorted merchant ships to Newfoundland. He then guided them into the Mediterranean Sea before returning to England by spring 1702.
In June, while commanding HMS Triumph at Portsmouth, he was promoted. He became a rear-admiral of the blue. He was ordered to join Sir George Rooke off the coast of Spain. Graydon was with Rooke during the attempt to capture Cadiz. He also participated in the destruction of enemy ships at the Battle of Vigo Bay.
With his flag on HMS Lancaster, he sailed home with Sir Cloudesley Shovell. They were in charge of the captured enemy ships. The following January, he was promoted again. He became a vice-admiral of the white. He was then appointed to lead a squadron of ships to the Jamaica Station.
The Failed Placentia Expedition
Graydon sailed with special instructions to quickly reach Jamaica. His mission was to gather ships and troops there. Then, he was to sail north to capture the French settlement of Placentia in Newfoundland.
A few days after he set sail, on 18 March, he encountered four French ships. Graydon's five ships were stronger than the French squadron. However, Graydon believed his orders meant he should avoid any delays. So, he let the French ships pass without attacking or chasing them.
He arrived in Barbados on 12 May and in Jamaica on 4 June. But his expedition faced many problems. His ships needed repairs, some had been at sea for a long time, and there was a shortage of supplies. There were also difficulties with the local people. All these issues caused long delays.
The expedition finally reached Newfoundland at the beginning of August. For the next thirty days, a thick fog covered the area. It was 3 September before the fleet could gather again. A meeting of naval officers then decided not to attack Placentia. They considered the late season, the poor condition of the ships, and the many sick sailors. They also noted the strong defenses of the enemy at Placentia.
On 24 September, the fleet sailed back to England. The weather was very bad, and the ships became separated. They reached home one by one during October.
Aftermath and Later Life
The expedition was a clear failure. Graydon's decision not to engage the French squadron on the way out seemed like a serious mistake. A committee from the House of Lords investigated. They reported that Graydon's actions had harmed the queen's service. They also said it brought great dishonor to the nation. The committee recommended that he should "be employed no more in her majesty's service."
Graydon was not put on trial, but he was judged based on what people said. He was effectively removed from his naval position. His pension was stopped, and he was never allowed to serve again. John Graydon passed away on 12 March 1726.
A portrait of him, painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller, hangs in the Painted Hall at Greenwich. King George IV donated it.
Sources
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Graydon, John". Dictionary of National Biography. (1885–1900). London: Smith, Elder & Co.
