A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Ray, Joseph
RAY. (Lieutenant, 1823. f-p., 34; h-p., 4.)
Joseph Ray entered the Navy, 13 Feb. 1809, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Victorious 74, Capts. Graham Eden Hamond and John Talbot, under the latter of whom we find him, when in company in the Adriatic with the Weasel 18, present as Midshipman, 21 Feb. 1812, in a most gallant conflict of four hours and a half [errata 1], which terminated in the capture, with a loss to the Victorious of 27 men killed and 99 (including himself) wounded, and to the enemy of 400 killed and wounded, of the French 74 Rivoli, whose consorts, 3 brigs and 2 gun-boats, were at the same time defeated.[1] Between the following Oct. and Dec. 1814 he served on the North American, West India, and Leith stations in the Woolwich 44, Capt. Thos. Ball Sulivan (under whom he was wrecked, on the north end of the island of Barbuda, in a violent hurricane, 6 Nov. 1813), Actaeon brig, Capt. Bertie Cornelius Cator, and Furious, Lieut.-Commander John Mundell. During the war of a Hundred Days he cruised off the coast of France in the Liffey 50, Capt. John Hancock; and from Feb. 1816 until Oct. 1823 he was employed on the Mediterranean, Home, South American, and African stations, in the Tagus 38, Capt. Jas. Whitley Deans Dundas, Erne 20, Capt. Rich. Spencer, Superb 74, Capt. Chas. Ekins, Severn 40, Capt. Wm. M‘Culloch, Brisk sloop, Capt. John Wm. Montagu, and Owen Glendower 42, Capts. Hon. Robt. Cavendish Spencer and John Filmore. On 22 of the month last mentioned (having acted for some time as Lieutenant of the Owen Glendower) he was confirmed in the rank he now holds. With the exception of a few months in 1837, he held an appointment in the Coast Guard from 11 Nov. 1826 until March, 1840; he then obtained command of the Eagle Revenue-vessel; and since 30 March, 1846, he has been officiating as Admiralty Agent on board a contract mail steam-vessel. Agents – Hallett and Robinson.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1812, p. 887.