Richard Spry
Encyclopedia
Admiral Sir Richard Spry (1715–1775) was a Royal Navy
officer who served as Commander-in-Chief, North American Station.
as a volunteer in 1733. Following the sinking of his ship by the Spanish Navy he was taken prisoner in 1745 but released two months later. He took part in the siege of Pondicherry in India in 1750.
In 1755 he became senior officer at Halifax
and in 1758 took part in the successful Siege of Louisbourg
. He was given command of HMS Orford
in 1760. In 1762 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, North American Station. In 1766 he became Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Station
returning to England in 1769. He went on to be Port Admiral at Plymouth
in 1771.
He lived in Place House in St Anthony in Roseland
, Cornwall
, where he died in 1775.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
officer who served as Commander-in-Chief, North American Station.
Naval career
Spry joined the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
as a volunteer in 1733. Following the sinking of his ship by the Spanish Navy he was taken prisoner in 1745 but released two months later. He took part in the siege of Pondicherry in India in 1750.
In 1755 he became senior officer at Halifax
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
and in 1758 took part in the successful Siege of Louisbourg
Siege of Louisbourg (1758)
The Siege of Louisbourg was a pivotal battle of the Seven Years' War in 1758 which ended the French colonial era in Atlantic Canada and led directly to the loss of Quebec in 1759 and the remainder of French North America the following year.-Background:The British government realized that with the...
. He was given command of HMS Orford
HMS Orford (1749)
HMS Orford was a 70-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built to the draught specified by the 1745 Establishment at Woolwich Dockyard, and launched in 1749....
in 1760. In 1762 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, North American Station. In 1766 he became Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Station
Mediterranean Fleet
Several countries have or have had a Mediterranean Fleet in their navy. See:* Mediterranean Fleet * French Mediterranean Fleet* Mediterranean Squadron * United States Sixth Fleet...
returning to England in 1769. He went on to be Port Admiral at Plymouth
Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
The Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth was a senior commander of the Royal Navy for hundreds of years. Plymouth Command was a name given to the units, establishments, and staff operating under the admiral's command. In the nineteenth century the holder of the office was known as Commander-in-Chief,...
in 1771.
He lived in Place House in St Anthony in Roseland
St Anthony in Roseland
St Anthony in Roseland is a village and formerly a parish in Cornwall, England, in the United Kingdom. It is one of four settlements in the Roseland Peninsula.At Trewince is a house of five bays and two storeys built in 1750...
, Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, where he died in 1775.