Sir John Poo Beresford

Sir John Poo Beresford
Born	1766
Died	2 October 1844
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1782–1835
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	HMS Hussar HMS Prevoyante HMS Poictiers Nore Command
Battles/wars	War of 1812
Awards	Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order

Sir John Poo Beresford, 1st Baronet, GCH (1766 – 2 October 1844) was an officer of the Royal Navy who rose to the rank of admiral, held the post of Second Sea Lord, and also served as Conservative Member of Parliament.

Beresford was an illegitimate son of George Beresford, 1st Marquess of Waterford, and the brother of William Beresford, 1st Viscount Beresford. He joined the Royal Navy in 1782.

In the summer of 1809 he was called as a witness at the Court-martial of James, Lord Gambier which assessed whether Admiral Lord Gambier had failed to support Captain Lord Cochrane at the Battle of Basque Roads in April 1809. Gambier was controversially cleared of all charges.

During the War of 1812, he served as captain of HMS Poictiers, during which time he ineffectually bombarded the town of Lewes in Delaware. More importantly, Poictiers participated in an action where, four hours after USS Wasp, commanded by Jacob Jones, captured HMS Frolic, Capt Beresford captured Wasp and recaptured Frolic, and brought both to Bermuda. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief, The Nore in 1830.