A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Dundas, Richard Saunders
DUNDAS, C.B. (Capt., 1824. f-p., 18; h-p., 12.)
The Honourable Richard Saunders Dundas, born 11 April, 1802, is second son of Viscount Melville, K.T., for many years First Lord of the Admiralty, by Anne, daughter and co-heir of Rich. Huck Saunders, Esq., M.D., and grand-niece and co-heir of Admiral Sir Chas. Saunders, K.B., who died 3 Dec. 1775. He is brother of Hon. Henry Dundas, C.B., Lieut.-Colonel 60th Rifles; and of Hon. Robt. Dundas, Storekeeper-General of the Navy.
This officer entered the Royal Naval College in 1815; and embarked, 15 June, 1817, as a Volunteer, on board the Ganymede 26, Capt. Hon. Robt. Cavendish Spencer – with whom, as Midshipman of the same ship, and of the Owen Glendower 42, he served, until Dec. 1820, on the Mediterranean and South American stations. He then successively joined the Créole 42, and Superb 78, both commanded by Capt. Adam Mackenzie, the Alacrity and Icarus sloops, Capts. Henry Stanhope and Henry Algernon Eliot, and the Glasgow 50, Capt. Bentinck Cavendish Doyle. In the capacity of lieutenant, to which rank he was promoted 18 June, 1821, his appointments appear to have been – 24 Dec. 1821, to the Active 46, Capt. Andw. King, and, 25 Feb. and 6 Sept. 1822, to the Owen Glendower 42, and Sparrowhawk 18, Capts. Hon. R. C. Spencer and Edw. Boxer. He was advanced to the command, 23 June, 1823, of the latter vessel, on the Halifax station, where, and in the Mediterranean, he served until posted, 17 July, 1824. We subsequently find Capt. Dundas appointed – 13 Sept. 1825, to the Volage 28, fitting for South America – 12 March, 1827, to the Warspite 76, in which ship (the first of her class that ever circumnavigated the globe) he returned to England, from New South Wales, in Oct. following – 20 Nov. 1830, to the Belvidera 42, successively employed in the Mediterranean and off Oporto, whence he came home and was paid off in Dec. 1833 – and, 1 Sept. 1837, to the Melville 72. In that ship he afterwards bore a part in the opening scenes of the campaign in China. While there, he obtained the best thanks of Sir Gordon Bremer for his conduct at the capture of Ty-cock-tow, 7 Jan. 1841 – was present with H.M.’s Plenipotentiary at a formal meeting which was held with the Chinese Commissioner on 26 of the same month – and on 26 of the ensuing Feb. took up his position in the most gallant style in the action which preceded the capture of the forts at the Boca Tigris.[1] He paid the Melville off at the end of 1841; and has not since been afloat . Capt. Dundas, who had previously filled the same office under his father in 1828, 29, and 30, was appointed, in Jan. 1845, Private Secretary to the Earl of Haddington. He continued so to officiate until Jan. 1846, when that nobleman vacated his seat as President of the Board of Admiralty. His nomination to the C.B. took place, as a reward for his services in China, 29 June, 1841. Agents – Hallett and Robinson.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1841, pp. 1162, 1496, 1498.