Sir Richard Spry | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1715 |
| Died | 25 November 1775 Place House, Cornwall |
| Allegiance | 
Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Service/ | 
Royal Navy |
| Rank | Rear-Admiral of the Red |
| Commands held |
North American Station Mediterranean Fleet Plymouth Command |
| Battles/wars |
War of the Austrian Succession Seven Years' War |
Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Spry (1715 [1]– 25 November 1775 [2]) was a Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief, North American Station.
After an education at Truro Grammar School [3] Spry joined the Royal Navy as a volunteer in 1733. [4] Following the sinking of his ship by the Spanish Navy he was taken prisoner in 1745 but released two months later. [4]
He took part in the siege of Pondicherry in India in 1750. [4]
From 17 October 1753 to 5 June 1754 he was captain of the frigate HMS Garland. [5]
In 1755 he became senior officer at Halifax, Nova Scotia, [4] and in 1758 took part in the successful Siege of Louisbourg. [4] He was given command of HMS Orford in 1760. [4] In 1762 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, North American Station. [4] In 1766 he was promoted to the rank of Commodore and appointed Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Station. [4] [6]
Spry returned to England in 1769. [4] In 1770 he was promoted to rear admiral and went on to be Port Admiral at Plymouth [6] [7] in 1771. [8]
Spry was knighted at Portsmouth on 24 June 1773 and retired to Place House in St Anthony in Roseland, Cornwall. [9] He died there in 1775. [4] [6] His memorial in St Anthony's Church there is by Humphrey Hopper. [10]
References
- ^ . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
- ^ File:Memorials to the Spry family in St Anthony's church, St Anthony in Roseland-8952.jpg
- ^ Richard Polwhele, The History of Cornwall, Civil, Military, Religious, Architectural, Agricultural, Commercial, Biographical, and Miscellaneous, vols. 4-7 (Michel & Co., 1816), p. 66
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Richard Spry at Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
- ^ "Richard Spry". Three Decks. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
- ^ a b c Hardy 1783, p. 56
- ^ Burke, J.; Colburn, H.; Bentley, R.; Cumming, J.; Whittingham, C.; Bell & Bradfute (1838). A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, Enjoying Territorial Possessions Or High Official Rank: But Uninvested with Heritable Honours. Henry Colburn. p. 695.
- ^ "Vice-Admiral William Bligh". The Peerage. 20 April 2009.
- ^ Cornwall: Walking along the Roseland peninsula Daily Telegraph, 12 August 2000
- ^ Gunnis, Rupert (1953). Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851. Odhams.
Bibliography
- Hardy, John (1783). A Chronological List of the Captains of His Majesty's Royal Navy (PDF). London: T. Cadell. OCLC 8908960.