A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Ratsey, Edward
RATSEY. (Rear-Admiral of the Red, 1841.)
Edward Ratsey is brother of Retired Commander Nathaniel Ratsey; and first-cousin of Retired Commander Thos. Ratsey.
This officer (who had studied at the Royal Naval College and been allotted three years’ service) embarked, 1 July, 1793, as a Volunteer, on board the Shark sloop, Capts. Hon. Arthur Kaye Legge and Scory Barker. After having been for about two years employed on the Channel and Newfoundland stations, he became Midshipman of the Defence 74, Capt. Jas. Gambier; prior to following whom as Master’s Mate into the Prince George 98 (commanded subsequently by Sir John Orde), he fought in Lord Howe’s action 1 June, 1794. He was made Lieutenant 9 April, 1795, into the Eurydice 24, Capts. Thos. Twysden and Rich. Henry Alex. Bennett, on the Channel station; and afterwards appointed – 20 Jan. 1796, to the Ambuscade 32, Capts. T. Twysden and Henry Jenkins, employed in the North Sea and West Indies – 24 Sept. 1798, to the Renown 74, Capt. Albemarle Bertie, lying at Woolwich – 24 June, 1799, to the Révolutionnaire 38, Capt. T. Twysden, on the Cork station, whence he invalided in 1800 – 30 April and 9 July, 1802, to the Neptune 98 and Isis 50, flag-ships of Admirals Gambier and Thornbrough in the Channel, at Newfoundland, and in the North Sea – and, 26 May, 1804, to the Culloden 74, bearing the flag of Sir Edw. Pellew, with whom he sailed for the East Indies. On his arrival he was nominated, 14 March, 1805, Acting-Captain of the Howe 38, and next, 25 April in the same year, Acting-Commander of the Harrier 18. In the latter vessel, on 2 Aug. following, Capt. Ratsey (who was not confirmed to her until 4 Feb. 1806) fought, in company with the Phaeton 38, a severe action of two hours and a half with the French 36-gun frigate Semillante and several batteries at the entrance of the Straits of St. Bernardino, Philippine Islands. The Harrier on the occasion was much cut up in her masts, sails, and rigging, and sustained a loss of 2 men wounded. Before leaving her Capt. Ratsey had the good fortune to prevent some British supercargoes from being captured by the Ladrones on their passage from Macao to Canton. On 5 Sept. 1806 he was made Post into the Sir Edward Hughes 38. He came home in Oct. 1807; and has since been on half-pay. He attained Flag-rank 23 Nov. 1841.
The Rear-Admiral is married and has issue.