A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Byng, John Russell Morris

1643838A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Byng, John Russell MorrisWilliam Richard O'Byrne

BYNG. (Lieutenant, 1845.)

The Honourable John Russell Morris Byng, born 4 Aug. 1823, is youngest son of the late Vice-Admiral Viscount Torrington,[1] by his second wife, Frances Harriet, daughter of Admiral Sir Robt. Barlow, G.C.B. He is brother of the present Viscount Torrington; nephew of Capt. Hon. H. D. Byng, R.N.; and brother-in-law of Capt. W. H. Hall, R.N.

This officer entered the Navy 31 March, 1837, on board the Princess Charlotte 104, Capt. Arthur Fanshawe, bearing the flag in the Mediterranean of Hon. Robt. Stopford, under whom he shared in the operations of 1840 on the coast of Syria, including the bombardment of St. Jean d’Acre. He passed his examination 12 April, 1843; and after serving, as Mate, on the Mediterranean and Home stations, of the Belvidera 38, Vesuvius steamer. Excellent gunnery-ship, and Victoria and Albert steam-yacht, Capts. Hon. Geo. Grey, Erasmus Ommanney, Sir Thos. Hastings, and Lord Adolphus FitzClarence, was awarded a commission dated 25 Sept. 1845. He has been employed, since 12 Nov. in the latter year, on board the Retribution steam-frigate, and Vengeance 74, both commanded by Capt. Stephen Lushington.


  1. Viscount Torrington was born 5 Jan. 1768, and entered the Navy 23 Feb. 1778. He was Midshipman of the Thunderer in the action between Keppel and D’Orvilliers, and of the Superb in two of Sir Edward Hughes’ encounters with De Suffrein. He afterwards commanded the Belliqueux 64, at the reduction of the Cape of Good Hope, and the destruction of several Dutch men-of-war in Batavia Roads, in 1806; and when in the Warrior 74, he conveyed the Prince of Orange to Holland in 1813. The Viscount died a Vice-Admiral of the Blue 18 June, 1831.