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Sir Richard Hughes, 2nd Baronet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sir

Richard Hughes

Bornc. 1724 (1724)
Died5 January 1812 (1812-01-06) (aged 82)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchRoyal Navy
Years of service1739–1812
RankAdmiral
CommandsHMS Spy
HMS Hind
HMS Active
HMS Falmouth
HMS York
HMS Portland
HMS Boreas
HMS Firm
HMS Worcester
HMS Centaur
Resident Commissioner, Halifax
Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
Downs Station
Leeward Islands Station
North America Station
Battles / wars
Spouse(s)Jane Sloane

Admiral Sir Richard Hughes, 2nd Baronet (c. 1724 – 5 January 1812) was a Royal Navy officer.

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Hughes was probably born in London, England, the son of Captain Richard Hughes. He entered the Portsmouth Naval Academy in 1739.[1] He served on a number of ships in various locations during his naval career, including HMS Boreas from 1763 to 1766. It is known that Hughes was in Canada in 1778, as he was appointed resident commissioner of the Halifax dockyard.[2] This appointment was short, as by August of the same year he became governor of Nova Scotia, succeeding Mariot Arbuthnot in that position.[1] During his tenure, the main concern was the protection of the Province.[1] In 1779, he succeeded his father as baronet. He became acting commander-in-chief The Downs in 1781.[3]

Governor Hughes' residence (built 1749). (Located on the site of Province House, which still is furnished with his Nova Scotia Council table)

In 1782 Hughes was second-in-command under Lord Howe at the Relief of Gibraltar.[1] Between 1783 and 1786 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Leeward Islands Station.[4] Then in 1789 he became Commander-in-Chief, North American Station.[1]

Legacy

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Arms

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Coat of arms of Sir Richard Hughes, 2nd Baronet
Crest
A lion couchant Or.[5]
Escutcheon
Azure a lion rampant Or

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Blakeley, Phyllis R. (1983). "Hughes, Sir Richard". In Halpenny, Francess G (ed.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. V (1801–1820) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  2. ^ "Research guide N1: Horatio Nelson : Biographies - Cook and Nelson : Research guides : The Library : Researchers : NMM". National Maritime Museum. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
  3. ^ Marshall, John (18 November 2010). Royal Naval Biography: Or, Memoirs of the Services of All the Flag-Officers, Superannuated Rear-Admirals, Retired-Captains, Post-Captains, and Commanders. Cambridge University Press. p. 10. ISBN 9781108022712.
  4. ^ Haydn, Joseph (13 June 2008). The Book of Dignities: Containing Lists of the Official Personages of the British Empire ... from the Earliest Periods to the Present Time ... Together with the Sovereigns and Rulers of Europe, from the Foundation of Their Respective States; the Peerage of England and Great Britain Original 1851 Digitized by the University of Michigan. Longmans, Brown, Green, and Longmans. p. 279.
  5. ^ Burke's Peerage, 37th edition. 1875.
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Government offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
1778–1781
Served under: Francis Legge
Succeeded by
Military offices
Preceded by Resident Commissioner, Halifax
1778–1781
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, The Downs
(Acting)

1781–1782
Vacant
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, Leeward Islands Station
1783–1786
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, North American Station
1789–1792
Succeeded by
Baronetage of Great Britain
Preceded by Baronet
(of East Bergholt)
1779–1812
Succeeded by
Robert Hughes