Narborough

Narborough, Sir John, an English seaman, was born about the year 1637. Having entered the navy, he became a lieutenant in 1664, and in 1666, for gallantry in the great action with the Dutch, was made a captain. In 1669 he led a voyage of discovery to the South Pacific, but, being hindered by the Spaniards of South America, returned to England. He would have sailed again had not a new Dutch War broken out in 1672. The Duke of York chose Narborough as his flag-captain, and, losing his captain of the fleet at the battle of Solebay, promoted him to the vacant post. Later in the year Narborough was sent with a convoy to the Strait of Gibraltar, and soon after his return he was knighted and appointed rear-admiral of the Red. He cruised with success, and in 1674 was again sent to the Mediterranean. He did not finally return to England until 1679. In the following year he became a Commissioner of the Navy, He died in 1688.