Richard Spry
English Admiral
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Spry (1715[1]– 25 November 1775[2]) was a Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief, North American Station.
Kingdom of Great Britain
Royal NavySir Richard Spry | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1715 |
| Died | 25 November 1775 (aged 59–60) Place House, Cornwall |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Rank | Rear-Admiral of the Red |
| Commands | North American Station Mediterranean Fleet Plymouth Command |
| Conflicts | War of the Austrian Succession Seven Years' War |
Naval career
After an education at Truro Grammar School[3] Spry joined the Royal Navy as a volunteer in 1733.[4] Following the sinking of his ship by the Spanish Navy he was taken prisoner in 1745 but released two months later.[4]
He took part in the siege of Pondicherry in India in 1750.[4]
From 17 October 1753 to 5 June 1754 he was captain of the frigate HMS Garland.[5]
In 1755 he became senior officer at Halifax, Nova Scotia,[4] and in 1758 took part in the successful Siege of Louisbourg.[4] He was given command of HMS Orford in 1760.[4] In 1762 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, North American Station.[4] In 1766 he was promoted to the rank of Commodore and appointed Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Station.[4][6]
Spry returned to England in 1769.[4] In 1770 he was promoted to rear admiral and went on to be Port Admiral at Plymouth[6][7] in 1771.[8]
Spry was knighted at Portsmouth on 24 June 1773 and retired to Place House in St Anthony in Roseland, Cornwall.[9] He died there in 1775.[4][6] His memorial in St Anthony's Church there is by Humphrey Hopper.[10]
