A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Fordyce, Alexander Dingwall
FORDYCE. (Commander, 1841. f-p., 20; h-p., 14.)
Alexander Dingwall Fordyce was born 4 March, 1800, at Aberdeen.
This officer entered the Navy, 12 June, 1813, as a Volunteer, on board the Désirée 36, commanded by his relative Capt. Arth. Farquhar, with whom, the last two years as Midshipman of the Liverpool 40, he served until April, 1816. In the former ship he was actively employed at the blockade of the German rivers, and at the reduction of Cuxhaven and Gluckstadt, in Dec. 1813 and Jan. 1814; and when on his return to England in the Liverpool, after having for some time blockaded Ile Bourbon, he appears to have been nearly lost off Dover, in consequence of that frigate having taken the ground at the foot of Shakspeare’s Cliff, from which perilous position she was only extricated by cutting away all her masts and spars, and throwing overboard her guns, provisions, and stores. In April, 1816, within three years of his entrance into the service, Mr. Fordyce, much to his credit, passed his examination for navigation at the R.N. College, and was one of the very first who went through that ordeal. In August of the same year we find him serving at the bombardment of Algiers on board the Albion 74, Capt. John Coode; in which ship, and in the Rochfort 80, and Revenge 74, he continued to be honourably and responsibly employed in the Mediterranean, under the successive flags of Sir Chas. Vinicombe Penrose, Sir Thos. Fras. Fremantle, Sir Graham Moore, and Sir Harry Burrard Neale, until appointed, 14 Jan. 1826, Acting-Lieutenant of the Weasel 10, Capt. Rich. Beaumont – exactly five years and a half after he had passed his examination for seamanship. Mr. Fordyce, whoso confirmation to the latter vessel took place 18 May, 1826, was subsequently employed for many months among the Ionian Islands for the protection of British commerce during the period of the Greek revolution. Returning to England in March, 1827, he afterwards officiated, as First-Lieutenant, from 26 May, 1829, to 4 June, 1833, and from 22 Jan. 1839 to 6 March, 1841, of the Algerine 10, Capts. Chas. Talbot and Hon. John Fred. Fitzgerald De Ros, and Cleopatra 26, Capt. Stephen Lushington, on the Brazilian, and North America and West India stations. In common with the other officers and men employed, Mr. Fordyce received the thanks of the Commander-in-Chief for his exertions, while in the Algerine, in recovering the remnants of the treasure which had been lost at Cape Frio on board H.M.S. Thetis. During his attachment to the Cleopatra he acted for some time as Captain of that frigate. Since his attainment of his present rank, 3 Sept. 1841, Commander Fordyce has been on half-pay.
On leaving the Algerine, in June, 1833, this officer was presented by his Captain with a handsome sword, bearing an appropriate inscription, and, on the part of the Warrant Officers, Seamen, and Marines, with a silver snuff-box, “in grateful acknowledgment of his unwearied efforts to promote their happiness and comfort during a period of four years’ service.” He published, in Oct. 1837, a work entitled ‘Outlines of Naval Routine.’
FORDYCE. (Commander, 1841.)
Alexander Dingwall Fordyce was elected M.P. for the city of Aberdeen in Aug. 1847.