Please click on the portrait of Admiral Sir John Balchin

to go to the Balchin Family Society website and find out more.

Admiral Balchin served in the Navy in the navy until his 75th year. Captain of HMS Victory he set out in the rescue of Sir Charles Hardy's fleet that had been blockaded by the French. On completion of this he proceeded to Gibraltar for reinforcement of the garrison. On returning to home the fleet enter the Bay of Biscay. A violent storm blew up, placing all the ships in jeopardy. The Fleet arrived safely in Plymouth or Spithead in the next few days. The sole exception was the flagship Victory which was last seen on the morning of 4th October 1744. Nothing is known for certain of her fate. Her main topmast was washed ashore on the island of Guernsey, but no other part of her was ever found and her fate remained a mystery to this day. The Admiral and over 1,100 officers and men aboard her vanished without trace, UNTIL NOW!