A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Bridgeman, Charles Orlando
BRIDGEMAN. (Captain, 1819. f-p., 16; h-p., 27.)
The Honourable Charles Orlando Bridgeman, born 5 Feb. 1791, is second son of Orlando, first Earl of Bradford, by Lucy Elizabeth, daughter of George, fourth Viscount Torrington; brother of the present Earl and of Hon. Henry Orlando Bridgeman, Captain in the Army; and cousin of Capt. Hon. Henry Dilkes Byng, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, 18 June, 1804, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Repulse 74, Capt. Hon. Arthur Kaye Legge, under whom he attained the rating of Midshipman in 1805, and was present in Sir Robert Calder’s action, at the passage of the Dardanells, and in the expedition to the Scheldt. In Nov. 1809, he joined the Manilla 36, Capt. Geo. Fras. Seymour, and, on 10 Sept. 1810, he was confirmed a Lieutenant in the Semiramis frigate, Capt. Chas. Richardson, both on the Lisbon station. Being appointed, 1 May, 1811, to the Revenge 74, as Flag-Lieutenant to his old Commander, then Rear-Admiral Legge, he served for some time at the defence of Cadiz; after which he successively joined, 8 March, 1813, the Bellerophon 74, bearing the flag at Newfoundland of Sir Rich. Goodwin Keats, and, 2 April, 1814, the Royal Sovereign yacht, Capt. Sir John Poo Beresford. Capt. Bridgeman, who obtained his second promotal commission 16 May, 1814, subsequently commanded, from 12 Dec. in that year, until paid off; 28 Aug. 1816, the Badger 10, on the West India station, where he assisted at the reduction of Guadeloupe in 1815, and, from 24 June, 1817, until posted, 2 Sept. 1819, the Icarus 10, in South America. His last appointment was, 7 Sept. 1827, to the Rattlesnake 28, attached to the squadron in the Mediterranean, of which ship he retained command until May, 1830. He accepted the Retirement 1 Oct. 1846.
Capt. Bridgeman married, 2 Dec. 1819, Elizabeth Caroline, eldest daughter of the late Sir Hen. Chamberlain, Bart., British Consul at Rio Janeiro, sister of the present Baronet, and half-sister of Commander Wm. Chas. Chamberlain, R.N. Agents – Messrs. Ommanney.