John Byng

John Byng (October 29, 1704 – March 14, 1757), was a former Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland and Admiral of the British Royal Navy. He is chiefly noted for having been controversially court-martialled and executed for breach of the Articles of War at the start of the Seven Years' War.

Court-martial, trial and execution

The failure caused a savage outburst of wrath in the country. Byng was brought home, tried by court-martial, condemned to death, and shot on 14 March 1757 at Portsmouth, aboard HMS Monarch.

Related Topics:
Court-martial - 14 March - 1757 - Portsmouth - HMS ''Monarch''

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The severity of the penalty, aided by a not unjust suspicion that the ministry sought to cover themselves by throwing all the blame on the admiral, led in after time to a reaction in favour of Byng. It became a commonplace to say that he was put to death for an error of judgment. The court had indeed acquitted him of personal cowardice or of disaffection, and only condemned him for not having done his utmost. But it must be remembered that in consequence of many scandals which had taken place in the previous war, the Articles of War had been deliberately revised so as to leave no punishment save death for the officer of any rank who did not do his utmost against the enemy either in battle or pursuit. That Byng had not done all he could is undeniable, and he therefore fell under the law. Neither must it be forgotten that in the previous war in 1745 an unhappy young lieutenant, Baker Phillips by name, whose captain had brought his ship into action unprepared, and who, when his superior was killed, surrendered the ship when she could no longer be defended, was shot by sentence of a courtmartial. This savage punishment was approved by the higher officers of the navy, who showed great leniency to those of their own rank. The contrast had angered the country, and the Articles of War had been amended precisely in order that there might be one law for all.

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