A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Murray, Alexander
MURRAY. (Commander, 1840. f-p., 23; h-p., 5.)
Alexander Murray entered the Navy, 26 March, 1819, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Cherokee 10, Capt. Theobald Jones; and in the course of the same year sailed, as Midshipman of the Leander 60, flag-ship of Hon. Sir Henry Blackwood, for the East Indies; where, in Aug. 1822, he joined the Sophie 18, Capts. Geo. French, Geo. Fred. Ryves, and Edw. Blanckley. Uniting, in 1824, in the hostilities against Ava, he found frequent opportunity of distinction, and was present, in the course of that year, at the occupation of Pegu and the capture and defence of Rangoon. He also, in 1825, served in the Sophie’s boats when the British advanced up the River Irawady; and he came into contact with the enemy at Panlang, Donoobew, and Meaday, In Feb. 1826 he returned to England, as Mate, in the Liffey 50, Commodore Coe. After he had further served in that capacity on the Mediterranean and Home stations in the Asia 84, flag-ship of Sir Edw. Codrington, Gloucester 74, Capts. Joshua Sydney Horton and Henry Stuart, Ferret 10, Capt. Thos. Hastings, and Asia again, bearing the flag of Sir Pulteney Malcolm, he was promoted, 6 July, 1829, to a Lieutenancy in the Mastiff surveying-vessel, Capt. Rich. Copeland, whom he followed, early in 1830, into the Meteor. He came home in Dec. 1831, and was next appointed – 2 Dec. 1834, to the Excellent gunnery-ship at Portsmouth, Capt. Thos. Hastings – 20 July, 1835, as Gunnery-Lieutenant, to the Russell 74, Capt. Sir Wm. Henry Dillon, off Lisbon – and, 11 Feb. 1837, in a similar capacity, to the Princess Charlotte 104, bearing the flag of Hon. Sir Robt. Stopford, again in the Mediterranean. For his services during the campaign in Syria, including the capture of St. Jean d’Acre, he was promoted to the rank of Commander 4 Nov. 1840. When off Beyrout, in the preceding Sept., he had been sent on shore, with a flag-of-truce and a letter addressed by Sir R. Stopford and the French Rear-Admiral Baudiera, to Soliman Pasha.[1] He obtained an appointment, 26 Dec. 1840, to the Hydra steamer, on the North America and West India station, whence he returned to England and was paid off about Aug. 1842; and since 13 March, 1846, he has been in command of the Favorite 14, on the coast of Africa. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1840, p. 2226.