A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Becher, Alexander Bridport
BECHER. (Commander, 1841. f-p., 14; h-p.,23.)
Alexander Bridport Becher is son of the late Capt. Alex. Becher, R.N. (1802), an officer of high scientific attainments; grandson of the late Commander John Becher, R.N.; godson of Admiral Lord Bridport; and a close relative of the late Countess of Oxford.
This officer entered the Royal Naval College in April, 1810, and embarked, 28 Nov. 1812, as Midshipman, on board the Barham 74, Capt. John Wm. Spranger, with whom he served in Basque Roads and the West Indies, latterly as Master’s Mate, until July, 1814. He then joined the Cordelia 10, Capt. Wm. Sargent, lying in the Downs; was afterwards, from Dec. in the same year until June, 1817, employed, under Commodore Edw. W. C. R. Owen and Capt. Wm. Fitzwilliam Owen, chiefly in surveying the lakes of Canada; became attached, in Feb. 1818, as Admiralty-Mate, to the Superb 74, Capt. Chas. Ekins, at Plymouth; was transferred, in a similar capacity, 2 Sept. 1818, to the Leven 24, Capt. David Ewen Bartholomew; and after a period of twenty months, spent in surveying the whole of the Azores, part of the African Coast, and some of the Cape Verd Islands, joined the Conway 26, Capt. Basil Hall, on the South American station. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant 31 May, 1822, and appointed to the Alacrity 10, Capt. Hon. Fred. Spencer, but continued in the Conway until paid off, 24 March, 1823. He afterwards officiated as First Lieutenant, from 30 March to 31 Dec. 1839, of the Fairy surveying-vessel, Capt. Wm. Hewett; and on 23 Nov. 1841, was advanced to the rank he now holds.
Commander Becher, who has been for many years employed in the Hydrographical Office at the Admiralty, is proprietor and conductor of that invaluable periodical the “Nautical Magazine.” He is married, and has issue one daughter.