as second in command at Portsmouth, where he continued until Feb., 1815. His commission as Vice-Admiral bears date July 19, 1821. Our officer married, Aug. 24, 1803, the eldest daughter of the late Vice-Admiral Patton. That lady died at Nice, in France, about December, 1816.
Residence.– Southampton.
SIR RICHARD LEE,
Vice-Admiral of the Blue; Knight Commander of the most honorable Military Order of the Bath; and of the Portuguese Order of the Tower and Sword.
This officer entered the naval service in 1777, as a Midshipman, on board the Speedwell sloop, commanded by the late gallant Captain John Harvey[1]. He afterwards served under the late Admiral Affleck[2], in the Triumph, of 74 guns, which ship formed part of Sir George B. Rodney’s fleet in the actions of May 15th and 19th, 1780[3]. On the latter day she appears to have been very warmly engaged, and sustained a loss of 4 men killed, and 14 wounded.
The Triumph subsequently accompanied the Commander-in-Chief to the relief of New York, and on the passage recaptured the Lion, an armed Jamaicaman, into which Mr. Lee was put as prize-master. On entering Sandy Hook, our young officer fell in with the Retaliation, a large American privateer, which he engaged and drove into Neversink, thereby preventing a number of merchant vessels, then off the lighthouse, from falling into her possession. He also gave the first information of the approach of the squadron; and by his exertions got pilots down from New York, in readiness to take charge of the ships immediately on their arrival.
Mr. Lee’s services in the Lion were so highly appreciated by Sir George B. Rodney, that he instantly promoted him to the rank of Lieutenant; whilst the merchants of New York voted him their thanks, and a handsome present. On his re-
- ↑ See Rear-Admiral John Harvey.
- ↑ Philip Affleck, Esq. Admiral of the White, and Vice-President of the Marine Society, died at Bath, Dec. 22, 1799. He was universally respected as an officer, a gentleman, and a christian.
- ↑ See note at p. 104, et seq.
