A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Coates, Richard
COATES. (Lieut., 1809. f-p., 24; h-p., 25.)
Richard Coates entered the [Navy, in March, 1798, as Midshipman, on board the Argo 44, Capt. Jas. Bowen, which ship, besides capturing a large number of heavy privateers, assisted at the reduction of Minorca in Nov. following – took, 6 Feb. 1799, the Spanish frigate Santa Teresa, of 42 guns and 530 men – brought Earl St. Vincent home from the Mediterranean in Aug. of the same year – convoyed nine homeward-bound East Indiamenfrom St. Helena, in the summer of 1801 – and was next employed on the coast of Africa. From March, 1803, until April, 1806, Mr. Coates served in the Dreadnought 98, Capt. Jas. Bowen, Puissant 74, guard-ship at Spithead, Capt. Irwin, and Athénienne 64, Capts. Fras. Fayerman and John Giffard. He then joined the Excellent 74, Capt. Frank Sotheron, in which ship he took part in the defence of Gaeta and capture of Capri; and after a re-attachment to the Puissant and a further servitude on board the Polyphemus 64, flag-ship at Portsmouth of Admiral Murray, was promoted, 7 Nov. 1806, to a Lieutenancy in the Duke 98, Capt. Thos. White, one of the Channel fleet. Removing, in March, 1808, to the Surinam 16 Capt. John Lake, he assisted at the taking of Martinique, in Feb. 1809; and on 14 ot the following month he was placed on half-pay. On 16 Aug. in the same year, however, he was appointed to the Jasper 10, Capt. Wm. Westcott Daniel, in which vessel, and in the Doterel 16, commanded by the same officer, he continuously served, on the Lisbon and West India stations, until Aug. 1812. From Jan. 1815, until Oct. 1826, we afterwards find him employed (with but the interruption of a few months in 1817 and 1823) as Agent for Transports afloat, and for some time as Acting Resident Agent at Cowes, in the Isle of Wight. Since 1826 Lieut. Coates has been on half-pay.