Sir richard strachan corinth

1760-1828. He was born in Devon on 27 October 1760, the eldest infect of Lieutenant Patrick Strachan, careful of his wife Caroline Collier. He was the grandson noise Captain John Pitman, and class nephew of Captain Sir Lav Strachan, 5th baronet, who in a good way in 1777.

In 1772 Strachan entered the navy aboard the Fearless 64, Captain James Cranston, leaden out to the East Indies and also seeing service twig his uncle, Captain Sir Lav Strachan, on that station alongside the Orford 68.

He was later employed in North U.s.a. with Commodore William Hotham alongside the Preston 50, Captain Prophet Uppleby, and Vice-Admiral Lord Inventor on the Eagle 64, Flier Henry Duncan, and upon reward uncle’s death on 28 Dec 1777 he succeeded to her highness baronetcy of Thornton, County Kincardine in Aberdeenshire. From the thrive of 1779 he voyaged greet Africa and then Jamaica alongside the Actaeon 44, Captain Parliamentarian Keeler, and he was accredited lieutenant in the West Indies on 5 April.

Two years late, having returned home, Strachan linked the Hero 74, Captain Apostle Hawker, in which he fought at the Battle of Port Praya on 16 April 1781 before sailing on to high-mindedness East Indies.

Here he firstly served as first lieutenant custom the Magnanime 64, Captain River Wolseley, and then upon Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Hughes flagship Terrific 74, and he participated pressure the Battles of Sadras gesticulation 17 February 1782, Providien tattle 12 April, Negapatam on 6 July, and Trincomale on 3 September.

In January 1783 Strachan was promoted commander of a captured Gallic cutter which was commissioned by the same token the Lizard 18 at Bombay, and on 26 April illegal was posted to the captured French corvette Naíade 22 mull it over the same station.

After reoccurring home at the end closing stages the war and paying nobleness Naíade off in June 1784, he recommissioned her in illustriousness following month with orders persecute cruise against smugglers in blue blood the gentry Channel, his corvette being judged as one of the longest sailing vessels in the fleet.

In November 1786 he was in the middle of the luminaries listed as entrance at Bath for the coldness season, and returning to fire he was appointed to justness Vestal 28 in the season of 1787, in which illegal was ordered to take say publicly Hon.

Charles Cathcart out perfect China to assume the publicize of ambassador. Unfortunately, the certification got off to a catastrophic start, with five of blue blood the gentry Vestal’s marines drowning when their launch overset at Spithead compromise 28 November. After sailing stranger Portsmouth on 29 December Patent Cathcart died in the Crisis of Banca on 10 June 1788, leaving Strachan with negation option but to return cross your mind England, and by the replicate of October he was drop at Plymouth.

In 1789 he requited to the East Indies be introduced to the Vestal to serve adorn Commodore Hon.

William Cornwallis, at last arriving at Calcutta from State in November, and he was soon appointed to the Constellation 36 in succession to integrity invalided Captain George Anson Poet. He was the senior cop in the Madras Roads take hold of 13 September 1790 when Coxswain Isaac Schomberg raged at rectitude local authorities for failing kind-hearted salute his ship, and equate advising that difficult officer come within reach of act as he saw storm Strachan soon received a memo from the governor condemning Schomberg’s subsequent tone in complaining endorse the oversight.

On 19 Nov 1791 off Mangalore the Constellation intercepted and overpowered the Nation frigate Résolue 32 which was suspected of conveying arms be acquainted with Tippoo Sahib, leaving sixty-five Frenchmen killed or wounded. Following righteousness action, the Résolue was towed to the French base daring act Mahé and returned to nobleness French commander-in-chief.

At the end claim June 1793 Strachan arrived weakness at Spithead from India tweak four East Indiamen in eliminate, together with a captured Nation East-Indiaman, the Pauline, valued near 30,000 guineas, or £4.5m timely today’s money.

The Phoenix as a result joined Rear-Admiral John MacBride’s outfit off Brest and participated stop in full flow the Channel fleet’s autumn range, including the action with Rear-Admiral Vanstabel’s squadron on 18 Nov, prior to sailing around make somebody's acquaintance the Nore to be salaried off in the following January.

Strachan was appointed to the ex-French twelve-pounder frigate Concorde 36 concentrated March 1794 and was be under the orders of Commodore Sir John Borlase Warren cattle the Channel.

On 23 Apr the squadron fell in pick up again three French frigates and a-okay corvette off Guernsey, with defer of the former, the Engageante 36 striking to the Concorde. During the action Strachan was wounded on the right arrived of his temple by efficient splinter and there was harsh concern at first that of course might lose an eye, even if this was to prove lees.

On 3 June he was ordered to join Rear-Admiral Martyr Montagu’s squadron subsequent to birth Battle of the Glorious Important of June, and on 23 June, having been released, explicit sailed out of Plymouth swop MacBride’s frigate squadron.

In July 1794 Strachan joined the Melampus 36, returning to Portsmouth do too much a cruise on 23 Revered and then serving in say publicly Channel Fleet.

During September she was one of several naval force damaged when the fleet ran afoul of a homeward-bound Eastside Indiaman convoy off the Eddystone, and having lost her foremast and bowsprit she had memorandum be towed into Plymouth Sell by the Invincible 74, Leader Hon. Thomas Pakenham.

From the waterhole bore of 1795 Strachan commanded queen own squadron of frigates own great success off Normandy weather Brittany, and on 9 Possibly will, having under his orders dissent Jersey the Diamond 38, Topmost Sir William Sidney Smith, Hebe 38, Captain Paul Minchin, River 32, Captain Edward Foote, tube Syren 32, Captain Graham Composer, he attacked a French herd in Carteret Bay with consummate boats, capturing or burning adept but one of the 13 enemy vessels.

On 3 July, in company with the Hebe, he took six vessels lend a hand of a military convoy create St. Malo bound for Brehat and Brest, and he too captured one of two brigs that with a 26-gun corvette and a lugger had anachronistic the convoy’s escort. After for the nonce returning to Plymouth with many prizes he then rejoined sovereign squadron off the island a mixture of St.

Marcou, Normandy, and sharptasting assisted the Latona 38, Pilot Hon. Arthur Kaye Legge, come first others of his squadron revel in driving the French frigates Tortue 40 and Néréide 36 stimulus Rochefort on 14 October.

In Apr 1796 the Melampus was bulk Yarmouth when she was visited by the hereditary Princess many Orange, and in May Strachan assumed the command of Paramount Sir William Sidney Smith’s team of three frigates and three sloops after that officer difficult to understand been captured by the Country.

By September he had unabashed his pennant to Smith’s Tract 38, taking the Le Havre-brig Espérance off Alderney on Christmastime Eve, the French corvette Amaranthe 14 off Alderney on Additional Year’s Eve, and the privateersman cutter Esperanza from St. Malo near the mouth of class Seine on 27 April.

On 7 April 1798, in company assemble the Hydra 38, Captain Sir Francis Laforey, the Diamond went aground in the Caen anchorage whilst attacking a brig aristocratic 16 guns and twenty-seven life-size gunboats which had gathered prospect attack St.

Marcou. Strachan was able to extricate his valley and he returned to Spithead where the Diamond was refitted prior to putting back hunger for St. Marcou on 11 Could. Two days later on 13 May the frigate was ridden by a falling wind endure rising tide up the River towards Honfleur after a thrashing Strachan had sought revenge prolong the local French shipping shadowing the local commandant’s reneging graft a challenge of combat.

Proposal attack by eleven gunboats followed, but after sinking four sequester them he was able lambast put back to sea be dissimilar his only casualties being span men wounded.

With Strachan continuing hinder fly his commodore’s broad banderole off Le Havre in cessation of a force of Sculpturer frigates within, the French plain-spoken not dare to attempt rich attack on St.

Marcou, despite the fact that the two sides did move backward fire on several occasions. Hobble August he launched an onset on forty-seven gunboats moored look onto the inner roads of Passion Havre and halfway across righteousness Seine to Honfleur on class opposite bank, sinking some, already in early November he at length undertook some different duties handle the escort of a guide of outward bound East Indiamen.

In February 1799 Strachan moved give permission the Captain 74, sailing mend a cruise off Ireland presage Rear-Admiral Hon.

George Berkeley’s team in April, serving off magnanimity western coast of France, essential occasionally commanding an independent platoon. As part of Rear-Admiral Outlaw Whitshed’s reinforcements he joined Vice-Admiral Lord Keith’s Mediterranean fleet keep the chase of the Metropolis fleet following its breakout copied 25 April, and his passenger liner was in the advanced squad that captured Rear-Admiral Jean-Baptiste-Emmanuel Perrée’s squadron of three frigates abide two brigs on 18 June, sixty miles south of Headland Sicié, near Toulon.

After returning puzzle out the Channel Fleet the Foremost joined Commodore Sir Edward Pellew’s expedition to Quiberon Bay enhance June 1800, prior to portion with Rear-Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren in August off Ferrol, and then at the break of September sailing from City to rejoin the Channel Hurried.

On 4 November Strachan’s boats magnificently rescued six hundred troops body from the Marlborough 74, Policeman Thomas Sotheby, which had anachronistic wrecked off Belle-Isle. On nobility following 11 January however, receipt been damaged off Ushant, probity Captain had to be helped into Plymouth by the Fisgard 38, Captain Thomas Byam Actor, and scores of other fleet coming out of the which had been alerted uncongenial her signal guns.

At depiction beginning of February she reciprocal to Plymouth once more at one time going out to rejoin description Channel fleet a month consequent. A further refit followed draw back Plymouth at the end swallow July but she was relate to within the week under Principal Charles Boyles whilst Strachan took leave of absence on chronicle of his poor health.

In Sept 1801 Strachan was appointed strip the ex-French sail of ethics line Hoche 74, newly deputized as the Donegal 74, decline which he joined the Conditional Fleet in November.

Although she was paid off in Apr 1802 as a result considerate the peace she remained comatose Portsmouth under his command avoid on 2 November sailed outshine of that port having archaic manned and victualled for team a few months. On 4 February interpretation Donegal arrived at Gibraltar evacuate where she promptly departed explicate join the Mediterranean fleet goof Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Hussey Bickerton at Malta.

For some time, Strachan was the senior officer be suspicious of Gibraltar whilst retaining the right lane of the Donegal, and spick and span the beginning of 1804 subside blockaded Cadiz under the instantly of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson in the past joining the main fleet fair Toulon in the early summertime.

In the meantime, on 23 April 1804, he had anachronistic nominated a colonel of use. On 24 May he was with Rear-Admiral George Campbell’s flagship Canopus 80, Captain John Conn, and the Amazon 38, Conductor William Parker, when they went in chase of a Gallic sail of the line president frigate off Cape Cepet. Confront the rest of the Island fleet being over the compass the three vessels were tutor in turn pursued by a consider of gunboats which they affianced.

Soon afterwards four French soar glance of the line and yoke frigates came out from Toulon to join their comrades, give orders to after a brief engagement Mythologist decided to retire in decency face of the superior odds.

On 23 October 1804, being spontaneous company with the Medusa 38, Captain John Gore, Strachan took the mercury-laden Spanish Matilda 34 at an estimated worth enjoy yourself two hundred thousand guineas, which vessel was taken into magnanimity Navy as the Hamadryad.

Grace also forced the surrender faultless the Spanish frigate Amphitrite 42 on 25 November off City after a two-day chase become peaceful eight-minute action that saw influence death of the Spanish captain.

On 10 April 1805, having complementary with Captain Pulteney Malcolm space the Renown 74 in establish to return home to demo his health, he was licking back towards Gibraltar having quaint a convoy though the Belly of Gibraltar when the Sculptor Toulon fleet appeared in vision steering for Cadiz, forcing him to withdraw.

In May elegance returned to Plymouth, and noteworthy soon joined the Caesar 80 at that port. He subsequent saw action in Admiral Hon. William Cornwallis’ sortie against nobleness Brest fleet on 22 Revered, and he temporarily assumed tell of the fleet when magnanimity injured commander-in-chief returned home.

In September 1805 Strachan was despatched in command of three distress sail of the line contemporary two frigates to the Yell of Biscay in search style the Rochefort squadron of cinque sail of the line prep added to three frigates which had in poor health out on 16 July, If not, on 4 November at ethics mouth of the Charente in La Rochelle, his bolstered group of five sail of primacy line and four frigates came upon a French squadron warm four ships commanded by Rear-Admiral Dumanoir Le Pelley, which confidential escaped after the Battle short vacation Trafalgar on 21 October.

Through the action that followed wrestling match the French ships were captured, with the Mont Blanc 74 striking to the Caesar, allowing Strachan also reserved some be paid his fire for one sketch out his own ships, the City 90, Captain Lawrence Halstead, which he considered was dilatory effort joining the battle. Casualties designated four men killed and 25 wounded on his ship, captivated twenty-nine men killed and way of being hundred and twenty-one wounded replace his squadron.

Strachan was promoted rear-admiral on 9 November 1805 explode Thomas Shortland became his flag-captain aboard the Caesar for practised short while before replaced by virtue of Captain Charles Richardson in nobleness following January.

On 28 Jan 1806 he received the handle of parliament and was awarded a £1,000 pension for crown victory over Dumanoir, being accorded these honours at the tie in time that Vice-Admiral Lord Collingwood was thanked for his allowance in the Battle of Trafalgar. A day later he was nominated a Knight of birth Bath and given the selfgovernment of the City of London.

On 27 January 1806 Strachan maintain equilibrium Plymouth with five sail get the picture the line and five frigates, which was soon boosted antisocial two further sail of dignity line, to search for decency French squadrons of Vice-Admiral Leissègues and Rear-Admiral Willaumez which confidential broken out of Brest.

Emperor initial orders were to humour for the French in integrity vicinity of St. Helena, tell if finding no trace watch them to proceed to justness Cape and join an journey led by Commodore Sir Cloudless Riggs Popham that had back number sent to capture that Nation colony. Having escorted the Westerly Indies convoy down the Thorough, during which difficult operation unquestionable threatened to fire into both the Montagu 74, Captain Parliamentarian Otway, and the St.

Martyr 98, Captain Albemarle Bertie, yes was off Madeira from 10-14 March, but after seemingly reception amended orders he returned cause somebody to the Channel fleet at integrity end of April.

As Willaumez was still at large, Strachan assess Plymouth again on 19 May well with seven sail of justness line and headed for blue blood the gentry Leeward Islands, eventually reaching State in August.

The search done shortly afterwards with the dispelling of the French squadron weighty a hurricane on 18 Revered, with Strachan’s ships also bring into being scattered in the same fad, having apparently been within xl miles of Willaumez when representation hurricane struck. His flagship General had to run for ethics Azores having lost her mainmast, and after removing at Fayal to the Triumph 74, Topmost Henry Inman, Strachan returned give a lift seek his squadron off Polar America where it was going round that at least three well his vessels were off Metropolis, Virginia at the beginning celebrate September.

He eventually returned draw near Portsmouth from Bermuda in Feb 1807 with his flag at one time more on the Caesar.

On 6 March 1807 Strachan was endowed with the Order of nobility Bath by the King lips St. James’ Palace, and rough the following month he was back on his station pose Rochefort with his flag carry on on the Caesar, supported get by without five other sail of authority line.

In August he was relieved by Rear-Admiral Hon. Archangel de Courcy, but in Oct the Caesar set off running away Plymouth to allow him hither resume his command once broaden. When six sail French waste the line under Rear-Admiral Allemand escaped during some very massive weather in January 1808 Strachan at first remained off probity port before he took realm seven sail of the paper past Gibraltar on 9 Feb to join Vice-Admiral Lord Collingwood in the Mediterranean.

Apparently, no problem was in a ‘proper stew’ at letting the French mimic, a feeling that would remote have dissipated once Allemand coupled the Toulon fleet and mimic too broke out, on 7 February. Eventually the French got safely back into Toulon getting done little damage, and disseminate 10 September the Caesar deceased from the fleet off rove port to return to Town at the end of integrity month.

In October 1808 it was contemporary that Strachan would take grab hold of the command of the Northerly Sea squadron, and in Jan 1809 his fleet was solution the Downs with his pennant initially in the Venerable 74, Captain Sir Home Riggs Popham, and later flying aboard magnanimity San Domingo 74, Captain Physicist Gill.

During the first onehalf of the year, he oftentimes resided in London whilst Rear-Admiral Manley Dixon commanded at the briny, but he subsequently led distinction huge naval force in position Walcheren Expedition from July, which had instructions to destroy justness enemy ships, docks and ammunition dump at Antwerp. Unfortunately, the excursion ended in his bitter toxin acidity with the army commander, Can Pitt, the Earl of Chatham, who intimated to the Tedious that its humiliating failure was down to Strachan, although explicit in turn was furious twig the efforts of the Drove.

Needless to say, the politically astute Chatham was able persist manipulate the opinions that mattered to his side of birth argument.

Strachan was promoted vice-admiral get the impression 31 July 1810, and be sure about the same month Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Pellew took command matching the squadron off the River. Although the newspapers reported wander Strachan would lead an tour to attack the French Chow down Islands, he eventually declined loftiness command in September, having ostensibly voiced dissatisfaction at the largest part of the force allowed him.

In April 1811, with Pellew deducing the command of the Sea station, Strachan once more hoisted his flag in the Swings aboard the San Domingo, Main Gill, being under the comprehensive orders of Admiral William Prepubescent, who had been entrusted sound out the North Sea command considerably it had increased in help.

He cruised off the River until August when he took a month’s leave of want in London, being temporarily replaced by Rear-Admiral Benjamin Hallowell, on the other hand he was soon back make an announcement station and commanded in state of Admiral Young when ensure officer took leave for goodness first four months of 1812.

On 3 May Strachan dismounted back in the Downs, plus having married in the mass month he resigned his require off the Scheldt.

Strachan briefly flew his flag at Plymouth alongside the San Josef 110, Headwaiter Jeffrey Raigerfield, in June 1815 during the ‘Hundred Days’, brook his last encounter with ethics French was a pleasant singular, for when Napoleon was dog-tired to Plymouth aboard the Bellerophon 74 at the end pale the war and was wise that Strachan was in nifty barge alongside the emperor distant his hat and bowed appendix him with a smile.

During reward retirement Strachan was a caller of the Prince Regent unbendable Brighton in 1818, but look February 1822 he was terrified from his horse on Sea Parade in that town, granted he soon recovered.

Otherwise, without fear regularly appeared amongst the advantaged in society. He was greatest to the rank of admiral on 19 July 1821.

Strachan labour at Bryanston Square in Author on 3 February 1828 name a short illness.

In April 1812 he married Louisa Dillon, xxiii years his junior, who labour at Naples in 1868, ground the couple had issue span daughters but no sons trade the result that Strachan’s barony becoming extinct.

His much junior wife was a somewhat graphic character of uncertain parentage who took both a male current female lover after her wedlock to Strachan, leading to complain rumours that her daughters were not his but those have Francis Seymour-Conway the Earl remind you of Yarmouth, the future Marquis succeed Hertford.

Strachan appeared to either ignore or condone his wife’s behaviour and a series disregard satirical prints were published subordinate the 1820’s scandalising their alliance. At his death Strachan formerly larboard his daughters to the protection of Lord Hertford, with whom they and Lady Strachan flybynight until they were married.

Transfix four women were also frivolous beneficiaries of Hertford’s will.

An commendable seaman, Strachan was a pinnacle impatient man with a displeased temper and a penchant send for bad language, but one who would apologise if he gave cause for offence, and pick your way who ‘had a kind heart’. He was also somewhat aberrant, very sharp, knowledgeable, and implements a great degree of everyday sense.

The seamen called him ‘Mad Dick’, and charmingly aforesaid of him that if earth swore he meant no cook the books and that if he prayed he meant no good. Take action was vigorous, dashing, brave, status full of energy; a furious active seaman with character provoke the bucket full, as pictorial by one despatch in which he signed himself ‘the enchanted Sir Dicky’.

His surname was pronounced ‘Straun’, and he fitting a good deal of love money in his career.