A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Edwards, Richard
EDWARDS. (Commander, 1828. f-p., 12; h-p., 34.)
Richard Edwards entered the Navy, 1 Feb. 1801, as a Supernumerary, on board the Royal William, Capt. Fras. Pickmore, bearing the flag at Spithead of Admiral Milbanke, but was discharged on 30 March following. In Sept. 18G5, he re-embarked, as Midshipman, on board the Majestic 74, Capt. Joseph Hanwell, in which ship and the Victory 100, bearing the flags in succession of Vice-Admirals Thos. Macnamara Russell and Sir Jas. Saumarez in the North Sea and Baltic, he continued to serve, until appointed Acting-Lieutenant, 6 May, 1812, of the Plover sloop, Capt. Colin Campbell. Being confirmed, 4 July following, into the Dictator 64, Capt. Jas. Pattison Stewart, Mr. Edwards, two days afterwards, was present, in company with the Calypso 18, Podargus 14, and Flamer gun-brig, and was particularly mentioned for his conduct, at the gallant capture and destruction, within the rocks of Mardoe, on the coast of Norway, of an entire Danish squadron, consisting of the Nayaden of 48 guns, the Laland, Samsoe, and Kiel sloops, and several gun-boats, after a long conflict which occasioned the Dictator a loss of 5 men killed and 24 wounded, and the enemy of 300 killed and wounded.[1] From 2 Feb. 1813, until 29 Aug. 1815, he next served in North America on board the Tenedos 38, Capt. Hyde Parker, under whom he appears to have witnessed the capture of the U.S. ship President. His subsequent appointments, we find, were – 23 Oct. 1823, to the Ocean 80, Capt. Lucius Ferdinand Hardyman, off Lisbon – and, 20 Dec. 1824, to the Superb 74, Capt. Sir Thos. Staines, at Jamaica. Since his attainment of his present rank, 26 Aug. 1828, Commander Edwards has not been afloat.
He married, in 1834, Emily, daughter of Wm. Taylor, Esq., of Parkfield House, Purbrook, by whom he has issue.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1812, p. 1362.