Across the road from GZ you will find a display case containing the house key of Admiral John Benbow, he famously nailed it to the tree on his departure to war.
The admiral was considered one of the greatest naval commanders of his time, the son of a tanner, Benbow was born in 1653 and joined the British Navy at the age of 25. Benbow rose through Naval ranks, becoming captain of his first ship in 1689.
During the Nine Years’ War (1689-1697), Benbow played a key role in British naval battles against France, which included destroying the French fleet in the Battle of La Hogue. From 1698 to 1700, he served as commander of the English fleet in the West Indies and later returned to the Caribbean in 1701 with the rank of vice-admiral.
When another war between the United Kingdom and France broke out in 1702, Benbow again fought against the French fleet. While skirmishing with French ships off the coast of Colombia, his leg was shattered by chain shot, but he continued to lead his ships into battle until his officers persuaded him to retreat to Jamacia.
After landing in Kingston, he court-marshaled two of those officers for insubordination and had them executed. He died soon afterward.