A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Purvis, Richard
PURVIS. (Lieutenant, 1846.)
Richard Purvis is second and youngest son of Rear-Admiral J. B. Purvis.
This officer, while Midshipman of the Blonde 42, Capt. Thos. Bourchier, served as Aide-de-Camp to that officer at the storming of the heights of Canton, and was wounded in the attack on the Woosung batteries. His name was twice officially mentioned. He passed his examination 8 Nov. 1845; and at the period of his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, which took place 29 June, 1846, had been serving for several months as Mate on board the Excellent gunnery-ship at Portsmouth, Capt. Henry Ducie Chads. His appointments have since been – 7 July, 1846, as Additional, to the Vindictive 50, flag-ship of Sir Fras. Wm. Austen in North America and the West Indies – 20 Feb. 1847, to the America 50., Capt. Sir Thos. Maitland, employed on particular service – and 12 Oct. following to the Penelope steam-frigate, of 650-horse power, bearing the broad pendant on the coast of Africa of Commodore Sir Chas. Hotham, under whom he has been officiating, since 20 Dec. in the same year, as Flag-Lieutenant.