A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Moorman, Richard (b)
MOORMAN. (Commander, 1845. f-p., 18; h-p., 6.)
Richard Moorman (b), born 19 April, 1810, at Tregony, co. Cornwall, is fourth and youngest son of Wm. Moorman, Esq., of Falmouth; and nephew of Commander Rich. Moorman (a), R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, ,27 Nov. 1823, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Semiramis 42, Capt. Peter Ribouleau, bearing the flag of Lord Colville at Cork; and, from Aug. 1825 until Nov. 1831 (in the course of which month he passed his examination), was employed, chiefly as Midshipman, in the Pandora 18 and Success 28, both commanded by Capt. Wm. Clarke Jervoise, and Calcutta 84, Capt. Peter Fisher, on the East India station. In Nov. 1829 the Success was all but lost on a reef, while making for Cockburn Sound, Western Australia. Five days elapsed before she could be got off, and then only by dint of the most determined exertions. The spirited and undaunted manner in which Mr. Moorman and his brother Midshipmen performed the very arduous duties that fell to their lot had the effect of officially eliciting the warmest praise and admiration on the part of Capt. Jervoise. In Feb. 1832 he was appointed Mate of the Pigeon, and in Sept. 1834 (after an interval of 15 months) of the Seagull, Falmouth packets, Lieut.-Commanders John Binney and John Parsons. On leaving the latter vessel, in Sept. 1835, he took command of a Liverpool West Indiaman, and continued trading from that port for a period of two years. In April, 1838, he joined the Excellent gunnery-ship at Portsmouth, Capt. Sir T. Hastings; and, on 1 June, 1839, he entered the Royal Naval College, on the occasion of its being opened for the instruction of Mates and half-pay officers. He removed, in the capacity of Gunnery-Mate, to the Calcutta 84, Capt. Sir Sam. Roberts, 26 Sept. 1840; and, on 28 Sept. 1841, owing to the strong recommendation of Sir Thos. Hastings, and as a mark of the especial importance attached by their Lordships to the cultivation of gunnery, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. On his return to England from the Mediterranean he was reappointed, 7 Dec. 1841, to the Excellent, in which ship he continued employed, in the capacity of Gunnery-Lieutenant, until advanced to the rank of Commander, 30 Aug. 1845. He has been in command, since 14 Sept. 1847, of the Hecate steam-sloop, of 240-horse power.