A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Beechey, Richard Brydges
BEECHEY. (Commander, 1846. f.p., 21; h-p., 5.)
Richard Brydges Beechey, born 17 May, 1808, is brother of Capt. Fred. Wm. Beechey, R.N.
This officer entered the Royal Naval College 1 March, 1821; and embarked, in June, 1822, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Espiègle 18, Capt. Henry Theodosius Browne Collier, on the Home station. He next joined the Owen Glendower 42, Capt. Hon. Sir Robt. Cavendish Spencer, employed on a Particular Service, and Seringapatam 46, Capt. Sam. Warren, in the West Indies; and, on 2 April, 1823, rejoined Sir R. C. Spencer, as Midshipman, in the Naiad 46. In that frigate Mr. Beechey served, in 1324, at the blockade of Algiers, and, while on the Coast of Barbary, took part in several boat expeditions, especially in the cutting out of a vessel laden with grain from under the forts of Bona. He next became attached, for passage home, to the Phaeton 42, Capt. Henry Evelyn Pitfleld Sturt; and, in March, 1825, joined the Blossom 24, commanded by his brother, Capt. F. W. Beechey, with whom he proceeded on a voyage of discovery to the Pacific, and thence to Bering Strait, for the purpose of co-operating in the Polar expeditions of Capts. Parry and Franklin. On his return to England Mr. Beechey was promoted, immediately on passing his examination, into the Madagascar 46, Capt. Sir R. C. Spencer, on the Mediterranean station, 15 Sept. 1828. After a short servitude on board the Aetna bomb, Capt. Stephen Lushington, he was further appointed – May, 1329, to the Belvidera 46, Capt. Hon. Rich. Saunders Dundas, on the Home station – and, 2 April, 1331, to the Curaçoa 24, Capt. David Dunn, forming one of an experimental squadron. He invalided soon afterwards, but, taking part in 1835 in the Survey of Ireland, continued to be employed on that service, latterly with his name on the books of the Tartarus steam-vessel, Capts. Horatio Thos. Austin and Jas. Wolfe, until advanced to the rank he now holds,31 March,l 846. He is at present on half-pay.
Commander Beechey married Frideswide Maria Moore, eldest daughter of Robt. Smyth, Esq., of Portlick Castle, co. Westmeath.