| Sir John Mennes | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 March 1599 |
| Died | 18 February 1671 |
| Allegiance | England |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands held | HMS Adventure HMS Garland HMS Red Lion HMS Vanguard HMS Convertine HMS Nonsuch HMS Victory |
Vice Admiral Sir John Mennes (1 March 1599 – 18 February 1671) was an English naval officer who went on to be Comptroller of the Navy.
Educated at his local grammar school in Sandwich and Corpus Christi College, Oxford, Mennes went to sea and in 1620 saw action off Dominica fighting off Spanish warships.[1] In 1628 he was given command of the HMS Adventure and later he commanded the HMS Garland, HMS Red Lion, HMS Vanguard, HMS Convertine, HMS Nonsuch and HMS Victory.[1] In August 1641 he took Queen Henrietta Maria to safety in Hellevoetsluis in the Netherlands and was knighted by King Charles I for doing so and in July 1642 he refused to accept the parliamentary takeover of the fleet.[1]
In 1643, once the King had lost the Navy, he transferred to the Army and became a general of artillery and in 1644 he became Governor of North Wales.[1] In 1650 he left England to join the exciled Court abroad.[1] Then in November 1661, following the restoration of the monarchy, he was appointed Comptroller of the Navy.[1] Samuel Pepys described him as ill at ease in this role.[2] He died in London in 1671 while still in the post of Comptroller.[1]
In 1641 he married Jane Liddell.[1]