The Sun.
London, England, 1850-11-13 00:00:00

Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Richardson, K.C.13 ,
died on Sunday last, at his seat, Painsthorpe Hall,
near Pocklington, Yorkshire, full of years, respect,
honours, and distinguished services. He was born in
1769, entered the navy November, 1787, and served
afloat mostly during the war for more than thirty
years. The following sketch of his career is from
O'Byrne's " Naval Biography" :-
" Sir Charles Richardson entered the navy, Nov. 23,
1787, as captain's servant, on board the Vestal, 28,
Captain Richard John Strachan. He shortly after-
wards proceeded on an embassy to China, and, on re-
moving with Sir Richard to the Phoenix, 36, was pre-
sent, Nov. 13, 1791, while cruising :off the Malabar
coast in company with the Perseverance frigate, in an
obstinate engagement (produced by a resistance on
the part of the French captain to a search being im-
posed by the British upon two merchant vessels under
his orders) with La Resolue, of 46 guns, whose colours
were not struck until she bad herself sustained a
loss of 25 men killed and 40 wounded, and had occa-
sioned one of the Phoenix of 6 killed and 11 wounded.
While on the East India station Hr. Richardson was for
several months employed in the boats in co-operating up
different rivers, with the army under Sir Robert Aber-
crombie in its operations against Tippoo Saib. Oa his
return to England in 1793 he joined (he had previously
attained the ratings of midshipman and master's mate)
the Alexander, 74, attached to the Channel fleet; and on
August 4, 1794, after having fought in the Royal
George, 100, flag-ship of Sir Alexander Hood, in Lord
Howe's actions of May 21 and June 1, he was made
lieutenant in the Circe, 28, Captain Peter Halkett. Of
that frigate he was first lieutenant during the great
mutiny at the Nore; where his exertions in preventin4
the crew from acquiring the ascendancy gained him, in
common with the captain and other officers of the ship,
the thanks of the Admiralty. The Circe forming one of
Lord Duncan's repeaters in the action off Clreperdown,
Oct. 11, 1797, Lieutenant Richardson on that occasion
achieved an important exploit. Fearing lest the Dutch
Admiral, De Winter, after his own ship had been dis-
masted and silenced, should effect his escape on board
some other, he volunteered to go in an open boat
and take him out. Succeeding in his object, he had
the honour of presenting him in person to the British
commander-in•chief, who in consequence received him
on promotion in January, 1798, on board his flag-ship,
the Venerable, 74, and made him, March 6 following,
his signal lieutenant in the Kent, 74, Capt. W. Johnstone
Hope. In the following year, being sent with the expe-
dition to Holland, Lieutenant Richardson c,immanded a
division of seamen attached to the army under Sir Ralph
Abercrombie, from the period of the debarkation near
the Holder until the surrender of the Dutch squadron
under Admiral Storey. He was then ordered home in
charge of a Dutch 68-gun ship. Some time after he
had rejoined the Kent he sailed with Sir Rilph Aber-
crombie for Egypt, where he assisted in landing the
tt•oops and fought in the battle of March 8, 1801. In
the course of the same month he removed to the Pene-
lope, 3G, Captain lion. H. Blackwood, and on July 12,
1802, having previously convet ed Sir Alex. John Ball to
Malta, he was nominated acting commander of the Alli-
gator, 28, armee en-flute. While in that ship, to which he
was confirmed Oct. 9, 1802, Capt. Richardson directed the
movements of the flotilla employed at the reduction of
Demerara, Es-nquibo, and Bt rbice in 1803, and was
highly spoken of in the public dispatches for his exer-
tions at the taking of Surinam in the spring of 1804.
On. July 6, in that year, he was in consequence invested
by Sir Samuel Hood with the command of the Centaur,
74, the ship bearing the broad pendant-an act which
the Admiralty confirmed on the `27th of September en-
suing. He returned to England in March, 1305, and was
subsequently appointed, January 11, 1806, to the Cmsar,
80; and went in pursuit, under the flag of Sir Richard
Strachan, of a squadron which had escaped from Brest;
was employed off Rochefort, and proceeded to the Me-
diterranean in quest of another French squadron under
Rear-Admiral Allemand. Ho assisted in the same
ship under Rear-Admiral Stopford at the destruc-
tion of three French frigates beneath the batteries
of Sable d'Olonne, and of the enemy's squadron
in Aix Roads, in February and April, 1809; and
in the following July sailed again under Sir Richard
Strachan with the expedition to the Scheldt. On
the town of Camvere offering to surrender, Captain
Richardson, who was the senior naval officer at the

time on shore, arranged with Lieutenant-General Fraser
the terms upon which the proposal was accepted. During
the investment of Flushing he landed at the head of a
brigade of seamen, and commanded a battery of six 24-
poun.lers with much effect. His services throughout the
operations were so important, and his vaal and bravery
so very conspicuous, that he elicited the public praise of
the Earl of Chatham, the military commander-in-chief,
and the high approbation of Lieutenant-Gmaeral Sir
Eyre Coo:e, who conducted the siege, and of Major-
General IVI'Lod, commanding officer of the Royal Ar-
tillery. On August 25,1811, being at the mouth of the
Gironde in the 'Semiramis, and in company with the
Diana, 38, Captain Richardson, while his consort was
engaged with the (lately British) gun-brig Teazer, of
12 18-pounder carronades, two long 18's, and 85 men,
succeeded ' in a manner that characterised the officer and
seaman,' in driving on shore and burning under the guns
of the batteries at Royan, Le Pluvier, national brig of 16
guns aral 136 men. In consideration of this exploit he
received the warmest acknowledgments' of his senior
officer, Captain William Ferris, of the Diana, and the
thanks of the Board of Admiralty. The Semiramis
afterwards made a large number ,f prizes, and among
them the Grand Jean Bart, privateer of 14 guns and
106 men. Daring Captain Richardson's command of the
Topaze a dispute arose between him and the authorities
of Canton, which before it could be adjusted became so
serious, that all commercial intercourse was suspended,
the British factory obliged to embark without passes,
and the lion. Company's ships to leave the Tigris. The
disturbances had their origin in the circumstance of la
fire from the Topaz?, having killed two out of a number
of Chinese who had severely wounded fourteen of her
crew while employing filling water at Lintin. On June
4, 1815, ()swain Richardson was nominated a C.B , and
on June 29, 1841, a K.C.B. He became a rear-admiral
Jan. 10, 1837, and a vice-admiral Dec, 17, 1847."
Rear-Admiral Edward Ratsey, by the death of
Sir Charles Richardson, becomes Vice-Admiral of the
Blue, vice John Sykes, to be Vice -Admiral of the
White.

Captain his Graee Algernon Duke of Northumber-
land (August 19, 1815) now attains the rank of Rear-
Admiral of the Blue on the active list, vice Sir
Augustus W. J. Clifford, Bart., C. 8., to be Rear-
Admiral of the White, vice Cuthbert Featherstone
Daly, C. 8., to be Rear-Admiral of the Red.
With this promotion two retired captains, being
senior to the Duke of Northumberland, attain the
rank of retired Rear-Admiral, without any increase
to their pay—namely, Captains Archibald Tisdale
(July 14, 1815) and Joseph Gulston Garland (Aug.
19, 1815).
The senior captain now on the active list for pro-
motion is Captain John Toup Nicolas, C. 8., K.H.
(August 26, 1815). Captain William Sandon (1828)
succeeds to the half-pay list of 14s. 6d. per diem, and
Captaim Robert Smart, ICH., c4.tnes within the se-
cond senior list, Captain George Woolcombe (1830)
having accepted the retirement.
TUE COURT OF INQUIRY ON COMMODORE PLUM.
The court of in-
quiry'cllolc.l7this morning, Ja GEs.
con-
tinuing to a quarter to four in the afternoon, and
—conDamEvercePd°RaTt' tNenov
then adjourned till ten o'clock to-morrow morning.
The paying off of the Cambrian is again postponed till
Wednesday. Several of the witnesses examined on
Saturday were re-examined to-day, and several others
were called. . Many of the charges are of a trifling
nature, and may be considered frivolous.
THE DOCKS AT DEVONPORT AGAIN.—A. defect

bas been discovered in the screw of the Wasp, 10,
Commander Crozier, to repair which the ship must 1;
docked. In conseguNnce of the want of accommodation
at Devonport, and the shallowness of those available,
this sloop will have to be detained several days from
proceeding with the mails to the cost of Africa.
Rear-Admiral - Superintendent Prescott, C. 8.,
struck his flag on Friday evening at sunset, and pro-
ceeded on three days' leave. He returned on Monday
afternoon, and his flag was re• hoisted on board the
Britannia, 120, at Portsmouth.
A marine artilleryman belonging to the Hogue, 60,
screw-ship, Captain Macdougall, was corporally
punished on board her hulk on Monday morning, for
repeated desertion (he was otherwise a 2naurais sujet),
anti was afterwards discharged the service.
Indefatigable, 50, Captain Smart, K.H., is ordered
to Devonport, for the West Indies.
Inflexible steam-sloop, Commander P. 11. Dyke,
has touched the ground again in the West Indies.
This vessel has an unfortunate propensity to ground
ing. She does it so easy that those on board are never
aware of the fact at the time.

Geyser steam-sloop, Commander Tatham,, is de-
tained at Devonport from proceeding to Rio, until
further orders.

Calliope, 26, has been taken out of dock at
Devonport ; and the Avon steam-vessel has been
taken in.

Retribution, 28, steam-frigate, Captain Warden,
has been taken alongside Portsmouth dockyard jetty
under the sheers, for the purpose of receiving her six
additional 32-pounder guns, four of which will be
mounted aft on the main deck and two forward. She
is at present coaling. As she is much lighter than
when she had her 800. horse power engines her copper
was much too high ; a sheet and a half has been taken
off all round, which will improve her appearance.
She will, no doubt be much improved by her addi-
tional false keel and stern post, whereby her rudder
is thrown eighteen inches further aft, and is fourteen
inches deeper.
Styx steatn-sloop, Mr. Brown master in charge,
did not return to Plymouth from Portsmouth till