Individual Details
Capt. Richard Dalling Dunn RN
(Bef 6 Aug 1767 - 11 Jun 1813)
Capt Dunn was Flag Captain to Admiral Duckworth for many years.
He had a quite remarkable career, indeed at least two of his exploits were used in the Hornblower books.
He usually served under Admiral Duckworth, who was also related to the Templers.
I think he disgraced himself somehow. Charlotte seems to have distanced herself from her late husband.
He may possibly have killed himself.
Capt. Richard Dalling Dunn RN is, asyou know, buried in Teigngrace Church.
He had an amazing caeer and a verymysterious death.
Baptised St Michael Queenhythe 6 Aug 1767 son of James & Elizabeth
Entered the Navy : on 9 December 1779, as a Supernumerary, on board the Sybil.
Midshipman or Master's Mate : on 26 September 1781.
Examination : on 1 October 1788, at Somerset House, Westminster (PRO ADM 6/89/169, ADM 107/11/122).
Hundred and sixty Lieutenants were originally appointed on 22nd November 1790.
For the more readily distinguishing the seniority of these Lieutenants, it has been deemed expedient that the eldest fifteen of those Lieutenants, shall take rank on the 13th of November, and the like number on each succeeding day up to the 22nd, in the order of the former list.
Lieutenant : on 17 November 1790 (10).
Commander : on 24 December 1798 (2).
Post-Captain : on 29 October 1801.
Died : on 11 June 1813
Buried ? 24 June 1813
To my knowledge he commanded the following ships.
Incendiary 14, Armide 38, (possibly Thalia 36?) Acasta, Hibernia 120, L'Hercule 74, Royal George 100, Formidable 90 and finally Dublin 78.
He faced court-martial after he surrendered the fire ship Incendiary to Adm. Ganteaume, after a long chase, but was exonerated when evidence showed that she was only carrying 7 guns at the time (apart from being totally out-classed). I assume he was later exchanged for a French captain.
He was at the battle of San Domingo, led the capture of Curacao, commanded the flagship Royal George, forcing passage at the Dardanelles.
There were some extaordinary exploits involved in his actions.
The circumstances of his death appear to have been deliberately covered up.
I notice the careful wording on his memorial, and no mention of his young wife and son on it.
It was Nelson himself who gave him his first ship, although he almost always served under Admiral Duckworth.
Hence his son being Richard Duckworth Dunn.
His origins are obscure. I do not know anything of his family.
The arms on his memorial are those of John Dun of Perth, and were granted in 1803, but I can find no connection.
Geoff Ayres - Nov 2010
He had a quite remarkable career, indeed at least two of his exploits were used in the Hornblower books.
He usually served under Admiral Duckworth, who was also related to the Templers.
I think he disgraced himself somehow. Charlotte seems to have distanced herself from her late husband.
He may possibly have killed himself.
Capt. Richard Dalling Dunn RN is, asyou know, buried in Teigngrace Church.
He had an amazing caeer and a verymysterious death.
Baptised St Michael Queenhythe 6 Aug 1767 son of James & Elizabeth
Entered the Navy : on 9 December 1779, as a Supernumerary, on board the Sybil.
Midshipman or Master's Mate : on 26 September 1781.
Examination : on 1 October 1788, at Somerset House, Westminster (PRO ADM 6/89/169, ADM 107/11/122).
Hundred and sixty Lieutenants were originally appointed on 22nd November 1790.
For the more readily distinguishing the seniority of these Lieutenants, it has been deemed expedient that the eldest fifteen of those Lieutenants, shall take rank on the 13th of November, and the like number on each succeeding day up to the 22nd, in the order of the former list.
Lieutenant : on 17 November 1790 (10).
Commander : on 24 December 1798 (2).
Post-Captain : on 29 October 1801.
Died : on 11 June 1813
Buried ? 24 June 1813
To my knowledge he commanded the following ships.
Incendiary 14, Armide 38, (possibly Thalia 36?) Acasta, Hibernia 120, L'Hercule 74, Royal George 100, Formidable 90 and finally Dublin 78.
He faced court-martial after he surrendered the fire ship Incendiary to Adm. Ganteaume, after a long chase, but was exonerated when evidence showed that she was only carrying 7 guns at the time (apart from being totally out-classed). I assume he was later exchanged for a French captain.
He was at the battle of San Domingo, led the capture of Curacao, commanded the flagship Royal George, forcing passage at the Dardanelles.
There were some extaordinary exploits involved in his actions.
The circumstances of his death appear to have been deliberately covered up.
I notice the careful wording on his memorial, and no mention of his young wife and son on it.
It was Nelson himself who gave him his first ship, although he almost always served under Admiral Duckworth.
Hence his son being Richard Duckworth Dunn.
His origins are obscure. I do not know anything of his family.
The arms on his memorial are those of John Dun of Perth, and were granted in 1803, but I can find no connection.
Geoff Ayres - Nov 2010
Events
| Birth | Bef 6 Aug 1767 | ||||
| Christen | 6 Aug 1767 | London, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom | |||
| Marriage | 4 Feb 1811 | Teigngrace, Devon, England, United Kingdom - Charlotte Frances Templer | |||
| Death | 11 Jun 1813 | Stonehouse, Devon, England, United Kingdom | |||
| Military | Captain, Royal Navy | ||||
| Military service | Napoleonic ? |
Families
| Spouse | Charlotte Frances Templer (1789 - 1875) |
| Child | Capt Richard Duckworth Dunn (1811 - 1892) |