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 GEORGE BYNG,

VISCOUNT TORRINGTON, ADMIRAL,

Was the eldest son of John Byng, Esq., of Wrotham Court, where he was born Jan. 27, 16831663 [sic]. At the age of fifteen he went to sea as a volunteer. After several promotions, he was in 1702 raised to the command of the Nassau, and was present at the taking and burning of the French fleet in Vigo Bay. In 1704 he served under Sir Cloudesley Shovel in the Mediterranean, as Rear-admiral of the Red, and reduced Gibraltar. He was in the battle of Malaga, and for his gallantry there received the honour of knighthood. In 1718 he was made admiral and commander-in-chief of the fleet, and was sent with a squadron into the Mediterranean, for the protection of Italy: he so conducted the campaign that the King of Spain was forced to accept the terms proposed to him. On his return to England he was made Rear-admiral of Great Britain, Baron Byng of Southill, a privy-councillor. Viscount Torrington, and a Knight Companion of the Bath. In 1727 he became first Lord of the Admiralty. He died, full of years and honours, 15th Jan. 1733. The unfortunate admiral, John Byng, shot on the 14th March, 1757, was his fourth son; but whether he was born in Kent, or not, does not appear.

[See "Charnock's Naval Biography," "Collin's Peerage (1779)]