Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and CuriositiesAnonymous
History
Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and Curiosities
Anonymous
Westminster Abbey
Admiral Sir JOHN BALCHEN, Knt.--On this fine monument, in relief, is the
representation of a ship perishing in a storm. The inscription, which is
historical, is here inserted:--"To the memory of Sir John Balchen, Knt.,
Admiral of the White Squadron of his Majesty's fleet in 1744. Being sent
out Commander-in-Chief of the combined fleets of England and Holland, to
cruise on the enemy, was, on his return home in his Majesty's ship the
Victory, lost in the Channel by a violent storm; from which sad
circumstance of his death we may learn that neither the greatest skill,
judgment, or experience, joined to the most firm, unshaken resolution, can
resist the fury of the winds and waves; and we are taught by the passages
of his life, which were filled with great and gallant actions, but ever
accompanied with adverse gales of fortune, that the brave, the worthy, and
the good man, meets not always his reward in this world. Fifty-eight years
of faithful and painful services he had passed, when, being just retired
to the government of Greenwich Hospital to wear out the remainder of his
days, he was once more, and for the last time, called out by his King and
country, whose interest he ever preferred to his own, and his unwearied
zeal for their service ending only in his death; which weighty misfortune
to his afflicted family became heightened by many aggravating
circumstances attending it; yet amidst their grief, had they the mournful
consolation to find his gracious and Royal Master mixing his concern with
the general lamentations of the public, for the calamitous fate of so
zealous, so valiant, and so able a commander; and, as a lasting memorial
of the sincere love and esteem borne by his widow to a most affectionate
and worthy husband, this honorary monument was erected by her. He was born
Feb. 2, 1669, married Susanna, daughter of Colonel Aprice, of Washingly,
in the county of Huntingdon. Died Oct. 7, 1744, leaving one son and one
daughter, the former of whom, George Balchen, survived him but a short
time; for being sent to the West Indies in 1745, Commander of his
Majesty's ship the Pembroke, he died at Barbadoes, in December the same
year, aged twenty-eight, having walked in the steps, and imitated the
virtues and bravery of his good but unfortunate father." When the Victory
was lost she had on board near one thousand souls, one hundred of whom
were gentlemen volunteers.--_Scheemakers, sculptor._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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