| abstract | - James Young (15 November 1717 – 24 January 1789) was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the War of the Austrian Succession, the Seven Years' War and the American War of Independence, rising to the rank of admiral of the white. Young entered the navy as a midshipman and went out to the Mediterranean, where he would rise through the ranks during a long and extended cruise, which saw him serve on a number of different vessels. A captain by the end of the War of the Austrian Succession, a fact that led to the caustic comment that he had been "midshipman, lieutenant, and captain in one voyage", he continued in active service after the war. He commanded several more ships during the Seven Years' War, and was one of those engaged at the controversial Battle of Minorca in 1756. The fleet's commander, Admiral John Byng, was court martialled over the affair, Young giving evidence at the inquiry. Young also played a role in the more creditable performance at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759, flying a broad pennant as a commodore, and participating in the decisive defeat of the French fleet. He went on to command several squadrons on the French coast, before his promotion to flag rank. Young was back in active service during the American War of Independence, with the important posting as commander in chief of the Leeward Islands station. He acted to secure British trade from American warships and privateers, but was less successful at intercepting supplies of weapons and gunpowder being provided to the American rebels by the nominally neutral Dutch and French possessions in the Caribbean. His frustration mounted, especially after the Dutch island of St Eustatius fired the first salute to the American flag in 1776. He left the post in 1778, returning to England, where he entered retirement and died in 1789. He left a family, including two sons, William and James, who also became prominent naval officers.
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