John Bazely

John Bazely
Born	March 1740 Dover, Kent
Died	22 April 1809 Edinburgh, Scotland
Allegiance	Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1755–1796
Rank	Royal Navy Admiral
Battles/wars	Seven Years' War American War of Independence • Capture of USS Lexington • First Battle of Ushant • Capture of the Cape Finisterre convoy • Battle of Cape St Vincent • Battle of Martinique • Battle of Groton Heights French Revolutionary Wars • Glorious First of June • Battle of Hyères

Admiral John Bazely (March 1740 – 22 April 1809) was an experienced and highly respected officer of the British Royal Navy who served in three wars and saw numerous actions, notably during the American War of Independence. He first gained notice with the capture of the American brig USS Lexington in 1777, following which he was rapidly promoted and by 1779 was a post captain and fought in engagements under Augustus Keppel and George Rodney with some success. He later served in the Channel Fleet under Lord Howe and fought at the Glorious First of June, although his career stagnated during the French Revolutionary Wars and he was unemployed for the final decade of his life, despite his being "regarded with respect and gratitude by his compatriots at large".

Bazely was born in Dover to a "respectable family", and after completing his education, joined the Royal Navy in 1755 at the age of 15. his first ship was HMS Ambuscade under the command of Joshua Rowley, in which he saw the outbreak of the Seven Years' War. In January 1756, Bazely transferred to HMS Hampshire, under the command of Captain Edward Hughes. Remaining with Hughes throughout various commissions, Bazely was promoted to lieutenant in 1760 and in 1777, with the outbreak of the American War of Independence, was given his own command: the small cutter HMS Alert.

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