John Tyrrell (Royal Navy officer)

In 1672, he was appointed lieutenant of the fourth rate Leopard, becoming her temporary commander on 28 May 1673 following the death of her captain, Peter Bowen.

On 19 September 1685, he caught and sank a "Zanganian" pirate ship in an action notable for the boarding and survival of the then Lieutenant John Byng.

He took part in the action on 4 October 1689, when a group of English cruisers fell in with 12 French warships, and the sixth rate Lively prize was lost.

He commanded the third rate Anne (70 guns) when she was beached and burnt after the Battle of Beachy Head on 30 June 1690, "where he withstood the violence of the whole French navy".

He died 6 December 1692, aged 46, and according to his memorial in Oakley he was "a true lover of his country, a valiant and skilful Commander".

Portrait Of Captain John Tyrell of the Anne, the only British ship lost in the Battle of Beachy Head. From the display at the Shipwreck Museum, Hastings, England (taken in 2021). Origin unknown.