John MacBride (Royal Navy officer)

John MacBride
Captain John MacBride (Gilbert Stuart, 1788)
Born	c. 1735 Scotland
Died	17 February 1800 Spring Garden Coffee House, London
Allegiance	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Service/branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1754 – 1800
Rank	Admiral of the Blue
Commands held	Grace HMS Grampus HMS Cruizer HMS Renown HMS Jason HMS Seaford HMS Arethusa HMS Southampton HMS Orpheus HMS Bienfaisant HMS Artois HMS Druid HMS Cumberland The Downs
Battles/wars	Seven Years' War American War of Independence Battle of Ushant Battle of Cape St. Vincent Relief of Gibraltar Fourth Anglo–Dutch War Battle of Dogger Bank French Revolutionary Wars

John MacBride (c. 1735 – 17 February 1800) was an officer of the Royal Navy and a politician who saw service during the Seven Years' War, the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary Wars, eventually rising to the rank of Admiral of the Blue.

MacBride entered the navy after serving on merchant vessels and distinguished himself in a number of actions during the Seven Years' War, including cutting out a privateer, which secured him the rank of post-captain by the end of the conflict. He was instrumental in establishing and securing a British settlement on the Falkland Islands in the years of peace which followed, and also performed service to the Royal Family by transporting the King's sister, Caroline Matilda. Still in active service by the outbreak of war with the American colonies, MacBride took command of a ship of the line and saw action in engagements under Keppel and Rodney. He was also active against privateers, capturing the Comte d'Artois in a heated battle off the Irish coast. Further service followed with Parker's fleet against the Dutch and with Barrington in the Channel.

MacBride ended the war serving ashore in Ireland, and in 1784 embarked on a political career, becoming MP for Plymouth. Promoted to flag rank with the outbreak of war with Revolutionary France, he commanded squadrons off the enemy coasts, and transported troops to support land operations on the continent. His last active service was in 1795, though he was promoted to Admiral of the Blue shortly before his death in 1800.