A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Bell, Christopher
BELL, C.B. (Rear-Admiral, 1846. f-p., 16; h-p., 35.)
Christopher Bell is brother-in-law of Lieut. Chas. Cotesworth, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, in June, 1796, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Clyde 38, Capt. Chas. Cunningham. He continued to serve in that frigate, in the Channel, North Sea, and off the Western Islands, for the space of six years, and on 20 Aug. 1799, when off the Cordovan light-house, assisted at the capture, after a gallant engagement of nearly two hours, of the French frigate La Vestale, of 36 guns and 230 men, of whom 10 were killed and 22 wounded, – the British losing only 2 killed and 3 wounded. He passed his examination in April, 1802; sailed in July following for the Jamaica station in the Chichester store-ship, Capt. Stevens; was there promoted, 20 Oct. in the same year, from the Leviathan 74, bearing the flag of Sir John Thos. Duckworth, into the Shark 18, Capt. J. B. Herring; and afterwards joined, 5 Oct. 1803, and 16 Sept. 1804, the Magnanime 18, Capt. Edw. Hawker, and La Pique 36, Capt. Chas. Bayne Hodgson Ross. In command of the tender belonging to the latter ship, Lieut. Bell, on 26 March, 1806, aided in taking the two French 16-gun brigs Phaeton and Voltigeur; and, on 1 Nov. ensuing, as First of La Pique, with her barge and two other boats under his orders, he succeeded, without the loss of a man, in cutting out from the harbour of Cabaret, Porto Rico, a fine new Spanish brig, pierced for 12 guns, and completely destroying a 3-gun battery at its entrance.[1] While subsequently employed ashore on the south side of St. Domingo, he received a severe wound in an attack made by the natives on his party, and in consequence, we believe, was presented with a gratuity rom the Patriotic Fund. We next find him appointed, 13 March, 1807, to the acting-command of the Shark receiving-ship at Port Royal, from which he was confirmed, 1 April, 1808, into the 14-gun brig Phipps. On 16 Nov. 1810, Capt. Bell, who had previously chased a lugger-privateer close under Calais, fell in with two others, one of which, Le Barbier de Séville of 16 guns and 60 men, on being brought to close action, was gallantly boarded, and in a few minutes carried, by Lieut. Robt. Tryon, at the head of a party of seamen, one of whom was killed, and the Lieutenant himself dangerously wounded. The enemy lost 6 killed and 11 wounded; and the prize, from the well-directed fire she had sustained, sank soon after the engagement.[2] For this achievement Capt. Bell, as were his officers and crew, was honoured with the approbation of the Admiralty. He removed, 19 June, 1811, to the command of the Mosquito, a first-class sloop, but was superseded on advancement to Post-rank, 7 Feb. 1812, and not afterwards employed. His nomination to the C.B. took place 4 July, 1840, and his elevation to the rank he now holds 1 Oct. 1846.