William Benbow

Biography
Captains full name: William Franklin Benbow

Rank Held in the squadron: Knight

Career: Naval Officer

Age of joining the Navy: 8

Current Age: Early 40's

Reason for joining the RN:

Sum up your captain’s personality and traits:

Captains Quote:

Your captains aims and goals: To one day hoist his flag.

Friends and Family
Samuel Pepys - Free Trader

Bloody Jack Benbow - Privateer

Josiah Halsey - Colonial Cousin

Record of Achievement

 * Saint Christopher Medal - Awarded to those reporting for duty during the first week of official release.


 * Naval General Service Medal - Awarded for participation in PotBS Beta.


 * January 1720 - Built first SGS Ship for the Navy Board


 * April 1st 1721 - Promotion to Knight


 * Order of St. Michael and St. George - For attaining the rank of Knight


 * July 1st 1819 - Reinstated as Knight


 * The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath - For his reinstatement to the rank of Knight.


 * August 1st 1819 - Awarded Military Cross for his active cruising and participation in fleet actions.

Commissions
Previous Commands:
 * HMS Neptune, Trinity-class 2nd-Rate, 96 guns
 * HMS Royal Oak, Wenden-class 3rd-Rate, 76 guns
 * HMS Monmouth, Valiant-class 3rd-Rate, 66 guns
 * HMS Thunderer, Poseidon-class 4rd-Rate, 66 guns
 * HMS Inferno, Heavy Hercules-class 5rd-Rate, 52 guns

Current Commands:
 * HMS Neptune, Trinity-class 2nd-Rate, 96 guns
 * HMS Royal Oak, Wenden-class 3rd-Rate, 76 guns
 * HMS Monmouth, Valiant-class 3rd-Rate, 66 guns
 * HMS Thunderer, Poseidon-class 4rd-Rate, 66 guns
 * HMS Inferno, Heavy Hercules-class 5rd-Rate, 52 guns

Background Story
''' 1680 - William Franklin Benbow born at Boston Town, New England.

1688 - Put to see as ships boy on an England bound frigate of His Majesties Navy.

1692 - Promoted midshipmen in Warspite (70) on account of losses at the battle of Barfleur. Brought to tears at the burning of the beautiful French flagship Soleil Royale.

1693 - Failed first Leftenant's examination due to clumsy handling of celestial navigation.

1695 - Passed second examination and granted commission as Leftenant after much hard study and practice.

1696 - 1702 - Gains experience and seniority serving as leftenant on HMS Warspite.

1703 - Survives the great November channel storm in which thousand of sailor and sea officers perish.

1704 - Promoted as a result of conspicuous action at Gibraltar under Byng. Given independent command of HMSloop Lady Barbara (22) with orders to act as fleet scout and messenger for His Majesties West Indies Squadron.

1705 - 1707 - Serves in the capacity of Sloop commander in the West Indies capturing several prizes and learning much of the geography, culture and inhabitants of the Indies.

1708 - Helps track the Spanish and bring about Wager's successful action against the Spanish off Cartegena.

Promoted Captain and given command of captured Spanish heavy frigate Inferno as a reward for her capture off Baru by HMSloop Lady Barbara. Refits and commissions frigate HMS Inferno (38).

1709 - Returns to England Via Boston and joins the Channel fleet.

1710 - 1712 - Fights several small but successful actions in the Inferno.

1713 - 1716 - Put on Half Pay in Portsmouth as Inferno is de-commissioned after the Peace of Utrecht, which ends the War of Spanish Succession.

1717 - Given command of HMS Royal Oak (70) and assigned to the Mediterranean fleet for service.

1718 - Fights under Byng at Cape Passaro off Sicily. Royal Oak damaged heavily in this action that completely destroys the Spanish fleet.

1719 - Sent once again to the West Indies aboard Lady Barbara as a passenger destined for a yet to be determined command.'''