Henry Osborn (governor)
Encyclopedia
Admiral Henry Osborn (baptized 27 August 1694 – 4 February 1771) was a British
naval officer who served as Commodore Governor of Newfoundland. He was a younger son of Sir John Osborn, 2nd Baronet.
as a volunteer in 1710. He was promoted lieutenant
in 1717, and his first command was HMS Squirrel in 1728.
On 14 May 1729, Osborn was appointed the first commodore governor of Newfoundland, when Lord Vere Beauclerk, the naval commander of Newfoundland had declined. He visited all of the notable places on the island and divided it into six districts. Within each of the districts he appointed magistrates and constables. On 1757, he was promoted Admiral of the Blue and appointed Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet
.
in Spain where a French squadron designed to go to the relief of Louisbourg had taken shelter. While there he attacked a small French squadron under Michel-Ange Duquesne de Menneville which was coming to the aid of the trapped force. Two French ships were captured, including Duquesne's flagship and it indirectly led to the successful British capture of Louisbourg
later that year. The battle helped to restore the Royal Navy's reputation following the failed attempt
to relieve Minorca two years earlier which had led to Admiral Byng
's execution.
In 1763, received the honorific post of Vice-Admiral of Great Britain. He entered Parliament in late 1758 for Bedfordshire
in a by-election, sitting until 1761.
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...
naval officer who served as Commodore Governor of Newfoundland. He was a younger son of Sir John Osborn, 2nd Baronet.
Naval career
Osborn joined the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
as a volunteer in 1710. He was promoted lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in 1717, and his first command was HMS Squirrel in 1728.
On 14 May 1729, Osborn was appointed the first commodore governor of Newfoundland, when Lord Vere Beauclerk, the naval commander of Newfoundland had declined. He visited all of the notable places on the island and divided it into six districts. Within each of the districts he appointed magistrates and constables. On 1757, he was promoted Admiral of the Blue and appointed Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet
Mediterranean Fleet
Several countries have or have had a Mediterranean Fleet in their navy. See:* Mediterranean Fleet * French Mediterranean Fleet* Mediterranean Squadron * United States Sixth Fleet...
.
Battle of Cartagena
In late 1757 Osborn besieged the neutral port of CartagenaCartagena, Spain
Cartagena is a Spanish city and a major naval station located in the Region of Murcia, by the Mediterranean coast, south-eastern Spain. As of January 2011, it has a population of 218,210 inhabitants being the Region’s second largest municipality and the country’s 6th non-Province capital...
in Spain where a French squadron designed to go to the relief of Louisbourg had taken shelter. While there he attacked a small French squadron under Michel-Ange Duquesne de Menneville which was coming to the aid of the trapped force. Two French ships were captured, including Duquesne's flagship and it indirectly led to the successful British capture of Louisbourg
Siege of Louisbourg (1758)
The Siege of Louisbourg was a pivotal battle of the Seven Years' War in 1758 which ended the French colonial era in Atlantic Canada and led directly to the loss of Quebec in 1759 and the remainder of French North America the following year.-Background:The British government realized that with the...
later that year. The battle helped to restore the Royal Navy's reputation following the failed attempt
Battle of Minorca
The Battle of Minorca was a naval battle between French and British fleets. It was the opening sea battle of the Seven Years' War in the European theatre. Shortly after Great Britain declared war on the House of Bourbon, their squadrons met off the Mediterranean island of Minorca. The fight...
to relieve Minorca two years earlier which had led to Admiral 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...
's execution.
In 1763, received the honorific post of Vice-Admiral of Great Britain. He entered Parliament in late 1758 for Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire (UK Parliament constituency)
Bedfordshire was a United Kingdom Parliamentary constituency, which elected two Members of Parliament from 1295 until 1885, when it was divided into two constituencies under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885.-History:...
in a by-election, sitting until 1761.