John Harman (admiral)
Admiral Sir John Harman (c. 1625 – 11 October 1673) was an English officer of the Royal Navy, who served first under the Commonwealth, then Charles II following the 1660 Stuart Restoration.
Sir John Harman | |
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Sir John Harman, c. 1668 | |
Born | c. 1625 |
Died | 11 October 1673 (aged 48 yrs) London |
Buried | St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands held | Welcome; Diamond; Worcester; Torrington; Gloucester; Royal Charles; Resolution; Revenge; Henry; Lion; St David; London |
Battles/wars |
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Spouse(s) | Katherine (died 1696) |
Harman began his career in 1646, and fought in the First Anglo-Dutch War, as well as a number of other actions. At the start of the Second Anglo-Dutch War, he was captain of HMS Gloucester, the flagship used by James, Duke of York at Lowestoft in 1665. The English won a clear victory, but Harman was criticised for his alleged failure to pursue the beaten Dutch fleet. Despite this, in 1667 he was given command of a squadron sent to re-establish the English position in the Caribbean, a task he successfully carried out.
Subsequently acquitted for his actions at Lowestoft, he became Rear Admiral in 1672 and served in all three major actions of the Third Anglo-Dutch War. Promoted Admiral in August 1673, he succeeded Prince Rupert of the Rhine as commander-in-chief of the fleet, but died shortly afterwards on 11 October.