Vice-Admiral of the White John Byron was a Royal Navy officer, explorer, and colonial administrator. He earned the nickname "Foul-Weather Jack" in the British press due to his frequent encounters with bad weather at sea. As a midshipman, Byron sailed in a squadron under George Anson on his voyage around the world. However, Byron's ship, HMS Wager, made it only to southern Chile, where it was wrecked. He returned to England with the captain of the ship.