English Naval Officer: John Baker

John Baker served in the navy in the late 17th and early 18th Centuries. He was appointed as a Lieutenant on 14 November 1688. He was promoted to Captain on 12 October 1691. He commanded the Newcastle (46 guns) in the Convoy for the Smyrna Fleet in June 1693, and fought in the defence of the convoy. In 1694, he commanded the Monmouth (66 guns) in a squadron dispatched to the Mediterranean Sea to attack "a large French convoy". In the event, the English staged a boat attack and caused great damage. On 12 October 1702, he fought in the action in Vigo Bay, where he commanded the Monmouth. He again commanded the Monmouth (70 guns) in the captured of Gibraltar in 1704. He also fought in the Battle of Velez Malaga on 13 August 1704, where he was again in the Monmouth (70 guns). On 17 January 1708, he was appointed as Rear-Admiral of the White. He was sent to Ostende to bring back troops to reinforce northern Britain. On 21 December 1708, he was appointed as Rear-Admiral of the Red. He was dispatched to Cadiz with a convoy of transports, but did not arrive in time, causing the attack to be abandoned. In 1710, he commanded a small squadron which chased an took some French ships in the Mediterranean. In 1712, he commanded a squadron cruising off Portugal. From 3 June 1713 until 1714, he was a member of parliament for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis. From 1715 until 10 November 1716, he was member of parliament for the same constituancy. On 15 June 1716, he was appointed as Vice-Admiral of the White. He died on 10 November 1716. Sources:

1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898
2. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994