A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Dowse, Richard
DOWSE. (Commander, 1846. f-p.,23; h-p., 14.)
Richard Dowse entered the Navy, 20 July, 1810, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Aigle 36, Capts. Geo. Wolfe and Sir John Louis, under the latter of whom, besides assisting in several boat affairs, he was present at the capture and destruction of a convoy of 20 sail, at Porto Maurizio, in the Mediterranean, 11 April, 1814. Between Sept. 1815, and Nov. 1818, we find him ofiiciating, as Midshipman and Master’s Mate, on the North Sea and West India stations, of the Florida 20, and Scamander 36, both commanded by Capt. Wm. Elliott. Until Sept. 1825, he next served, on the East India, Home, and West India stations, in the Dauntless 26, Capts. Hon. Valentine Gardner and John Norman Campbell, Eden 26, Capt. Fras. Erskine Loch, Ramillies and Ganges, ships of the line, commanded by Capt. Edw. Brace, and Isis 50, bearing the flag of Sir Lawrence Wm. Halsted – by whom he appears to have been detached in command, from Nov. 1824, to May, 1825, of the Assiduous schooner, employed in the suppression of piracy. In Sept. 1825, Mr. Dowse rejoined Capt. Elliott, as Acting-Lieutenant, on board the Lively 46, to which frigate he was confirmed 16 Dec. following. He was placed on half-pay on his return from the coast of Africa, in Dec. 1826; and was afterwards appointed – in Nov. 1832, to the Comus 18, Capt. Wm. Price Hamilton, at Plymouth – in the course of 1834, to the Vernon and President, flagships in North America and the West Indies of Sir Geo. Cockburn, and again to the Comus – 5 Nov. 1835, as Senior Lieutenant, to the Snake 16, Capt. Rich. Laird Warren – 18 March, 1836, to the Coast Guard, in Suffolk – and, 1 Oct. 1840, to the Howe 120, Capts. Sir Watkin Owen Pell, Robt. Smart, and Thos. Forrest, flag-ship for some time of Sir Fras. Mason, which he paid off; as First-Lieutenant, in July, 1843. He has not since been afloat. He acquired his present rank 9 Nov. 1846.
Commander Dowse is at present employed, we believe, as Stipendiary Magistrate at the Mauritius. Agents – Messrs. Chard.