The Brave Benbow website [visit link] makes mention of the
busts:
"Busts, head and shoulders, within
decorated roundels, of British admirals in uniforms of their period. Each
roundel consists of a plain outer moulding with inner circular wreath (laurel?)
topped by single rose motif. The base has an inscription panel with each
admiral’s surname. The innermost moulding is rimmed by a rope. All are in very
high relief. Each head is either more or less face on or at a three quarter turn
to the left or right. They run along the top of the north facade of the building
facing the river. From left to right (east to west): Anson, Drake, Cook (these
first three on east pavilion), Howard, Blake, Benbow, Sandwich (over door),
Rodney, Duncan, Collingwood, Howe, Nelson, St Vincent."
The building is Grade II listed and the
entry at the English Heritage website [visit
link] tells us:
"Former rackets courts, now
laboratories. The western block 1874-5 by Colonel Clarke RE, the central screen
and eastern part identical in design and added in 1882-3 by General Pudsey RE to
form a symmetrical composition. Converted to laboratories in c.1906. Stone and
stuccoed facades, roof hidden by high parapets. Seven-bay screen with higher
two-bay ends. Tuscan pilasters across screen break forward into pairs of Ionic
columns set between engaged columns with fluted capitals, all these in antis
under projecting parapets at ends. The parapets are elaborate, with raised
centrepieces supported on swags and urns set on high and elaborately carved
plinths as cornerpieces; all this decoration the work of C R Smith. Rusticated
ground floor. At first-floor height busts in high relief set in roundels depict
from east to west: Anson, Drake, Cook, Howard, Blake, Benbow, Sandwich, Rodney,
Duncan, Collingwood, Howe, Nelson and St Vincent. Nine-bay side elevations and
three-bay rear also denoted by pilasters, the ground floor rusticated under
fluted frieze and with empty first-floor roundels. Above these a deep frieze and
an attic storey also broken into bays by short pilaster strips."
The Royal Naval Museum website [visit
link] tells us about John Benbow:
"Born 10th March 1653 at Shrewsbury,
Shropshire. Benbow entered the navy on the 30th April 1678 as a Master’s Mate on
board HMS Rupert. He took part in actions against the Algerine corsairs in the
Mediterranean, and won promotion to Master of HMS Nonsuch on the 15th June
1679.
On April 8th 1681, whilst taking
part in operations off the north coast of Africa, Benbow was court martialled
for disrespect, and sentenced to forfeit three months pay. When his ship was
paid off, Benbow was discharged from the navy, and he went into the merchant
service. He re-entered the navy in his first recorded commission as third
Lieutenant of HMS Elizabeth on 1st June 1689. On 20th September 1689, he was
appointed Captain of HMS York, but on the 26th October he was transferred to HMS
Bonaventure, and again on the 12th November to HMS Britannia.
In March 1690, Benbow was appointed
as Master Attendant of Chatham Dockyard, which post he held for some years, but
during which, he was called into active service at various times. In the summer
of 1690, while Master of HMS Sovereign, he acted as Master of the Fleet up until
the end of the English-Dutch defeat at the battle of Beachy Head, and his
evidence helped to acquit Admiral Lord Torrington at the subsequent court
martial. In the summer of 1692, he was once again Master of the Fleet when he
took part in the battles of Barfleur and La Hogue. In 1693, he was in action at
the attack of St Malo, and in 1694 the attack on Dunkirk. For his services
during these actions, he was appointed as Master Attendant at Deptford Dockyard
and during his appointment, the dockyard was visited by Tsar Peter the Great of
Russia on his tour of Europe to learn naval shipbuilding skills.
In 1695 he was promoted to
Rear-Admiral, and in March 1698 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief West Indies,
where he was engaged in operations against the Spanish pirates, both in the West
Indies and off the coast of North America. He returned to England in 1700, and
was almost immediately appointed to the command of HMS Downs. On 30 June 1701,
he was appointed as Vice-Admiral of the Blue in the Grand Fleet under Sir George
Rooke. He returned to the West Indies as C-in-C in November of that year. He was
further promoted to Vice Admiral of the White on 19 January
1702.
On the 19th August 1702, off
Cartegena, Benbow’s squadron attacked a French squadron for five days. The
attack was a disorganised affair and ended with three of the English ships
sustaining most of the French squadron’s firing. On the 24th August, Benbow’s
right leg was shattered by chain shot. After this event, Captain Kirkby of HMS
Defiance came on board Benbow’s flagship, HMS Breda and urged Benbow to give up
the chase. All the other ship captains were summoned on board; they concurred
with Kirkby and Benbow was compelled to return to Jamaica.
Benbow ordered a court martial of
the captains for cowardice, and all were found guilty in 1703, two being
sentenced to death. Before their trials took place, Benbow had died from his
wounds at Port Royal on the 4th November 1702, and was buried in the chancel of
St Andrew’s Church, Kingston, Jamaica. He had married early in his life and had
several children, of whom only his daughters survived to
adulthood."