I HAVE recently re-read Treasure Island and wondered if you could tell me who was Admiral Benbow, after whom the inn belonging to Jim Hawkins' mother was named. - Ken Orton, Ferryhill Station.

JOHN Benbow was the son of a Shropshire tanner and was born in 1753. He worked as a waterman on the Severn River before running away to sea, joining the navy in 1678. Here he was actively involved in fighting pirates in the Mediterranean. However, he was noted for his sharp tongue and fiery temper, and his early naval career suffered a setback after he insulted a fellow officer and received a court martial.

Turning his hand to merchant shipping, he could not resist a good fight and is thought to have been responsible for the deaths of several pirates. But Benbow was allowed to rejoin the navy in 1688 after William of Orange succeeded to the English throne. Benbow progressed to the rank of Vice Admiral and came to be involved in the war against the French. His acts of bravery included the delivery of floating bombs into the harbours at St Malo and Dunkirk. The high points of his later career took him to the West Indies, where he was at first involved in the pursuit of notorious pirates like Captain Kidd, but later found himself once more a key figure in the war with France.

It was during this period in 1702, that Benbow's authority was undermined by a mutiny. The incident occurred in August that year after Benbow's fleet of seven ships encountered nine French vessels off Santa Marta, Colombia. The battle lasted several days and, on August 24, Benbow had his right leg blown off by chain shot.

His wounds were attended and he continued to fight, ordering that his wooden bed be brought to the quarterdeck. The bed became his command post and it was from here that he continued to direct the battle.

Benbow was eventually persuaded to give up the chase after three of his captains, under the leadership of Colonel Richard Kirkby, refused to continue the pursuit. Only one captain stuck by the Vice Admiral, Captain Walton of the Ruby, but this ship was eventually disabled. Upon returning to Jamaica, Benbow had two of his captains court martialed and shot. Benbow later died from his wounds.

*l If you have a Burning Question, or can improve on the answer above, please write to Burning Questions, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington,

DL1 1NF or e-mail david.simpson@nne.co.uk