Edward Vernon
Edward Vernon , called Old Grog (1684-1757), is a British Naval officer of the Royal Navy. It owes its nickname with its clothing of grogram (mixture of wool and silk). Admiral of the fleet, it became famous with the the United Kingdom for the catch on November 21st, 1739 of the Spanish fortress of Portobelo, with the Panama.
Biography
During the War of succession of Spain, Vernon took part in the battle of Malaga in 1704, and in the catch of Barcelona in 1705. It was commodore of Royal Port (Jamaica) in 1720 and commander-in-chief of the fleet of the Indies Occidentales of 1739 to 1742.During the small war against Spain, it ordered the fleet of six ship of the lines which seized into 1739 Portobelo (today with the Panama). The districts of Portobelo with London and Dublin owe their name with this victory; the Rule Britannia was also composed on this occasion.
Its reputation was compromised as of March 1741 by its humiliating demolished in front of Cartagena de Indias (Carthagène of the Indies, today Carthagène in Colombia): its forces of invasion, cash 23.600 men and 186 ships, could not override Blas de Lezo, which defended the city with only 3000 soldiers, 600 Indians and the crews of 6 frigates. The seat was raised after 67 days of combat.
Vernon briefly seized bay of Guantánamo to Cuba, from July in December 1741. It had arrived with eight 4000 soldier and ship of the lines, in the intention to go on Santiago of Cuba but had to be withdrawn in front of the actions of guerilla of the population.
These failures and its difficult character, source of conflicts with its superiors and the governors of Jamaica, involved his retirement in 1746.
Others
The half-brother of George Washington, Lawrence Washington (1718-1752), had been used under the orders as Vernon in 1741. He gave his name to his field, Mount Vernon, which échut then with his/her brother.Edward Vernon had ordered into 1740 that the Rhum of its sailors is cut of water. The whole of the Royal Navy followed this example, and the new drink was called " Grog ", which pointed out its nickname.
March 12th 1724 -->