BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF RICHARD RODNEY BLIGH, ESQ. ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE SQUADRON

Summary

“For all the toils that rack his manly frame,

Virtue requires no other meed than fame.”

Carey.

Fired by example, the generous bosom pants for glory, and emulates the most illustrious models of heroism. In contemplating the gallant Exploits of Rodney, we cannot wonder that from the school of so distinguished an Officer some of the fairest ornaments of the British Navy should have risen ;– Men eminently conspicuous for their modesty, their bravery, and their general worth. Admiral Richard Rodney Bligh, whose Naval Career we are now about to trace, is fully entitled, by the general tenor of his conduct, to rank with such Men. This Gentleman, who is descended from an ancient and respectable Family in Cornwall, was born in the year 1737. Having been destined to the Naval Service of his Country, he received an appropriate education; and, in 1750, he commenced his professional progress under the immediate auspices of his Godfather, the late Lord Rodney; who, in the preceding year, had been made Governor and Commander in Chief of the Island of Newfoundland.

Of the manner in which Mr. Bligh passed the immediately succeeding years, we are not accurately informed; but we believe that he continued under the protection of his Patron, employed in various service; and in the year 1757 he received a Lieutenant's Commission.