James Montagu

Who was James Montagu?

James Montagu, captain in the Royal Navy, third son of Admiral John Montagu, and brother of Admiral George Montagu and of Edward Montagu, was born on 12 August 1752.

On 18 August 1771 he was promoted by his father to the rank of lieutenant, and on 11 September 1773 to be commander of the sloop HMS Tamar. In her, and afterwards in the HMS Kingfisher, he continued on the North American station, and on 14 November 1775 he was posted to HMS Mercury. In December 1776 he was sent to England with the despatches announcing the capture of Rhode Island by Sir Peter Parker and General Clinton.

He then returned to North America; but on 24 December 1777, coming down the North River, the Mercury struck on a hulk which the enemy had sunk in the fairway, and became a total wreck. Montagu was tried by court-martial at New York, but acquitted of all blame, and in July 1778 he was appointed to the frigate HMS Medea, which for the next two years he commanded on the home station, cruising in the North Sea, in the Channel, or occasionally as far south as Lisbon.