What happened to Admiral Grog?
Admiral Edward Vernon was known as ‘Old Grog’ because he wore a cloak of grogram (a mixture of silk and mohair). He became a national hero during the ‘War of Jenkins’ Ear’ when he captured Portobello from the Spaniards. Despite his distinguished service record, he was sacked by the Board of Admiralty in 1746 for writing a couple of pamphlets which were highly critical of the government’s management of the navy. He then became Member of Parliament for Ipswich and continued to voice strong views on naval matters. He died at his country house at Nacton in Suffolk in 1757.
