English Admiral. Born in Norfolk, he was probably already at sea by 1648, coming to prominence when he commanded the ship 'Elisabeth' in a battle during the First Dutch War, that saw him capturing two Dutch men-of-wars. He continued to captain the same ship until 1655, his popularity rising with the people due to his humble birth, and his superiors due to his successes. In 1655 he took control of the frigate 'Marston Moor' just as its crew were on the verge of mutiny. Having dealt with this problem, he took the ship to the West Indies where he spent several years buccaneering and plundering Spanish interests. Although he proved to be a considerable thorn in the sides of the Spanish, he was eventually sent back to Britain after refusing to share the spoils of his raids with the governor of Jamaica. The Commonwealth fell, but his services were retained by the restored Stuart regime. They sent him back to the West Indies, but were forced to recall him in 1665 because his activites were causing considerable international outcry. Upon his return he was promoted to Vice-Admiral under Prince Rupert and the Duke of York. When the Secong Dutch War broke out, he fought at Lowestoft and served under the Lords Sandwich and Albemarle, gaining a knighthood. In June 1666 he was repeatedly injured by Dutch sharpshooters during the Four Days' Battle; he returned to his home in Whitechapel and succumbed to his injuries. Samuel Pepys attended his evening funeral, reporting that Myngs' men were so sorrowful to lose their commander, that they volunteered to lead a fireship gainst the Dutch fleet.
English Admiral. Born in Norfolk, he was probably already at sea by 1648, coming to prominence when he commanded the ship 'Elisabeth' in a battle during the First Dutch War, that saw him capturing two Dutch men-of-wars. He continued to captain the same ship until 1655, his popularity rising with the people due to his humble birth, and his superiors due to his successes. In 1655 he took control of the frigate 'Marston Moor' just as its crew were on the verge of mutiny. Having dealt with this problem, he took the ship to the West Indies where he spent several years buccaneering and plundering Spanish interests. Although he proved to be a considerable thorn in the sides of the Spanish, he was eventually sent back to Britain after refusing to share the spoils of his raids with the governor of Jamaica. The Commonwealth fell, but his services were retained by the restored Stuart regime. They sent him back to the West Indies, but were forced to recall him in 1665 because his activites were causing considerable international outcry. Upon his return he was promoted to Vice-Admiral under Prince Rupert and the Duke of York. When the Secong Dutch War broke out, he fought at Lowestoft and served under the Lords Sandwich and Albemarle, gaining a knighthood. In June 1666 he was repeatedly injured by Dutch sharpshooters during the Four Days' Battle; he returned to his home in Whitechapel and succumbed to his injuries. Samuel Pepys attended his evening funeral, reporting that Myngs' men were so sorrowful to lose their commander, that they volunteered to lead a fireship gainst the Dutch fleet.
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