A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Ricketts, Charles Spencer
RICKETTS. (Lieut., 1809. f-p., 18; h-p., 34.)
Charles Spencer Ricketts entered the Navy, 4 April, 1795, as A.B., on board the Mutine cutter, commanded in the Mediterranean by Lieuts. West and Shepherd. In Oct. 1797 he removed to the Princess Royal 98, bearing the flag of Sir John Orde off Cadiz; and in Sept. 1798 he became Midshipman of the Speedy brig, of 14 4-pounders, Capts. Jahleel Brenton and Lord Cochrane. Under Capt. Brenton he contributed, 9 Aug. 1799, to the capture, after a warm action of great length fought in a small bay near Cape de Gatt, of three vessels, mounting in the whole 22 guns, 6 and 9 pounders. He was with the same officer at the destruction, 3 Oct. following, of four coasting-vessels anchored under a fort and castle in a bay to the eastward of Cape Trafalgar; and also when, unaided, he defeated and put to flight, near Gibraltar, 6 Nov. 1799, two Spanish schooners, each carrying 2 long 24-pounders and 50 men, 10 other vessels of 1 24- pounder and 40 men each, and a French xebec privateer of 8 guns. Under the gallant Cochrane Mr. Ricketts took part in a series of operations against the enemy unparalleled for activity and success. Within the space of 14 months he aided at the taking, by the Speedy alone, of 33 vessels, carrying all together 128 guns and 533 men; and on 6 May, 1801, he had the honour of assisting at the evermemorable capture of the Spanish frigate El Gamo of 32 heavy guns and 319 men; which ship, after a close cannonade of 45 minutes, was boarded and carried with irresistible heroism by Lord Cochrane at the head of 40 men. The British, whose number consisted originally of 54, sustained a loss of 3 killed and 8 wounded; the enemy of 15 killed and 41 wounded. On 3 July following the Speedy was herself captured by a French squadron under M. Linois, but not until she had exhausted every means of escape, and had behaved in a manner so conspicuous that Lord Cochrane’s sword, on his surrender, was immediately returned to him. Being restored to liberty in the course of the same month, Mr. Ricketts was at once received on board the Caesar 80, commanded (as flag-ship to Sir Jas. Saumarez off Cadiz) by his friend Capt. Brenton; with whom he returned home in April, 1802, in the Santa Dorotea frigate. Rejoining him, in the ensuing Dec, on board La Minerve of 48 guns, he was in that ship, 2 July, 1803, when she took the ground under the batteries of Cherbourg, and was compelled, despite a fierce and sanguinary resistance, to strike her colours. In consequence of this misfortune he was for upwards of six years detained a captive in France. During that period he twice attempted to effect his escape – the first time from a prison in the citadel of Valenciennes, the second from a dungeon at Hirson. On being at length set at large, he was promoted, 14 Dec. 1809, to the rank of Lieutenant, and appointed to the Vanguard 74, Capt. Henry Richard Glynn; in which ship and in the Sparrow sloop, Capt. Joseph Needham Tayler, and Theseus 74, Capt. Brown, he continued employed on the Baltic and Home stations until the peace. He has since been on half-pay. Agents – Messrs. Halford and Co.