Everything about Temple West totally explained
Vice-Admiral
Temple West (bef. 1715 –
9 August 1757) was a British naval officer, best known for his role as second-in-command to Admiral
John Byng in the
Battle of Minorca.
Early career
West was a younger son of Rev. Dr. Richard West, archdeacon of
Berkshire, and his wife Maria Temple, daughter of
Sir Richard Temple, 3rd Baronet. His elder brother was the author
Gilbert West.
In 1738, he was given command of
Deal Castle, a 24-gun
sixth-rate. In 1742, he was made captain of
Warwick, a 60-gun
fourth-rate. During the
Battle of Toulon,
Warwick was one of three ships that broke up a Franco-Spanish movement to weather the British line, but did so contrary to orders. He was
court-martialed at
Deptford on
13 December 1745, found guilty, and dismissed the service, but was reinstated on
12 May 1746 by
order in council. In 1747, he commanded
Devonshire as flag-captain to Vice-Admiral
Sir Peter Warren at the
Battle of Cape Finisterre.
He married Frances Balchen, daughter of Admiral Sir
John Balchen, and was the father of Balchen West and hence grandfather of Sir Edward West, first Chief Justice of Bombay.
Battle of Minorca
In 1756, West, now a
rear-admiral, was appointed second-in-command to Admiral Byng to lead a hastily-assembled squadron to the relief of
Minorca. West sailed aboard
Buckingham, Flag-Captain Michael Everitt,, and the fleet saw action on
20 May 1756, the day after their arrival. West had command of the van, which attacked the rear of the French van and drew heavy fire. In the rear, Byng, who had insufficient sail on to promptly come up and support the van, declined to put on further sail, citing the court-martial of
Thomas Mathews at the Battle of Toulon. (Mathews had attacked the enemy individually while flying a signal to attack in
line of battle, resulting in a confused and disorderly attack.) The French drew off at the end of the day, and the English fleet lacked the
weather gage to pursue.
After Minorca
Both Byng and West were recalled from command after the battle, beginning the process which culminated in the court-martial and execution of Byng, for failing to do his duty "to his utmost". West, on the contrary, was received as a hero, and was appointed a
Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty He died not long after, on
9 August 1757, and was buried in
Westminster Abbey.
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