A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Friend, Matthew Curling
FRIEND, F.R.S. (Lieutenant, 1815. f-p., 10; h-p., 31.)
Matthew Curling Friend is brother of Lieut. C. Friend, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, 20 July, 1806, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Argo 44, Capt. Stephen Thos. Digby, with whom he continued to serve, in the Theban and Cornwallis, on the African and West and East India stations, nearly the whole time as Midshipman and Master’s Mate, until Oct. 1814. He thbn successively joined the Monmouth 64 and Namur 74, flag-ships in the Downs of Sir Thos. Foley and Sir Thos. Williams; and while afterwards serving in the West Indies, as Admiralty-Midshipman of the Bombay 74, Capt. Henry Bazely, he was promoted to his present rank 16 Feb. 1815. On 6 June, 1815, he was appointed to the Bucephalus 32, Capts. Geo. Wm. Hughes D’Aeth and Amos Freeman Westropp, with whom he served off St. Helena until Aug. 1816. He has not since been employed.
He holds a civil situation at Van Diemen’s Land. Agents – Goode and Lawrence.