Google AdSense

Amazon Ad

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

English Captain: Richard Badiley

Richard Badiley served in the Commonwealth navy. From 1649 to 1650, he commanded the 3rd Rate Happy Entrance (46 guns). In May, he was appointed commander in the Downs. In March 1650, he sailed from the Downs with Robert Blake for Portugal, in pursuit of Prince Rupert's squadron. In June, he was sent to Cadiz, with 8 ships, to resupply. In October, Blake sent Badiley home with most of the ships. From 1651 to 1653, he commanded the 2nd Rate Paragon, and from 1652 to 1653, he was commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean Sea. He was dispatched to the Mediterranean in late 1651. He fought in the Battle of Elba (Monte Christo) with mixed results. In March of 1653, his forces were engaged in the Battle of Livorno (Leghorn) with bad results. Henry Appleton's squadron was almost destroyed, and Badiley withdrew his squadron from the Mediterranean. He was exonerated, and stayed at sea. From 1653 to 1654, he was appointed Rear-Admiral with his flag on the 2nd Rate Vanguard. From 1654 to 1655, he was Rear-Admiral with his flag on the 2nd Rate Andrew. He returned to the Mediterranean with Robert Blake in the fall of 1654. In March 1655, his ship was the last one of out of Porto Farina, in an action with the Tunisians. In 1656, he was appointed Vice-Admiral of Blake's fleet in place of John Lawson, with his flag on the 1st Rate Resolution (86 guns). He returned to England with Edward Montagu in 1656, with the treasure from the Plate fleet. He did not serve after the Restoration, as he was too strong a Republican, but he was not arrested, either. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, "The First Dutch War in the Mediterranean," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.49, No.4, November 1963.
  2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
  3. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.

No comments:

Amazon Context Links