John Tyrrell

Who was John Tyrrell?

Captain John Tyrrell of Oakley, Buckinghamshire, son of Sir Timothy Tyrrell and Dame Elizabeth, his wife, was made by Charles II of England the Second Admiral in the East Indies.

John Tyrrell served in the Restoration navy, including a long period as a lieutenant. On 24 October 1665, he was appointed the lieutenant of the third rate Resolution. In 1672, he was appointed lieutenant of the fourth rate Leopard, becoming her temporary commander on 28 May 1673 following the death of her captain, Peter Bowen. In September 1674, the King appointed him lieutenant of the fourth rate Dragon. Finally, on 16 January 1678, the King appointed him as captain of the sixth rate Drake. On 3 April 1680, he was given command of the prize Orange Tree. On 13 April 1682, he was reappointed to command the Orange Tree. On 18 April, he was switched to the Mermaid. On 23 February 1684, he was appointed to command the Oxford. On 1 June 1684, the King appointed John Tyrrell to command the Phoenix of 42 guns. On 19 September 1685, he caught and sank a "Zanganian" pirate ship in an action notable for the boarding and survival of the then Lieutenant John Byng.