Grampian Club > Memorials of the Strachans, baronets of Thornton, Kincardineshire, and of the family of Wise of Hillbank, formerly Wyse of Lunan, in the County of Forfar

jO Memorials of the Families of Straclian and Misc.
he fell in with a division of French ships, which hud
escaped from the action at Trafalgar. After a decisive
engagement, Sir Richard took possession of four line-of-
battle ships, which he sent to Plymouth, to be added to
the navy. In acknowledgment of his brilliant services, he
was promoted to a Flag, as Rear- Admiral of the Blue, and
in January 1806, w^as nominated K.C.B. By the Corpora-
tion of London he was voted a sword and the freedom of
the city. In 1809, he was entrusted with the command of
the great naval expedition to the Scheldt, the military
force being placed under the command of the Earl of
Chatham. The inactivity and incajiacity of the military
commander paralysed the efforts of his naval colleague,
and rendered the enterprise a failure ; Avhile a strict
investigation proved that the abortive character of the
Walcheren expedition was in no respect due to the com-
mander of the sea forces. In 1811, Sir Richard was
advanced as Vice- Admiral ; he became Admiral in 1821.
On his r(^tirement he established his residence in Bryanston
Square, London, where he died on the 3d February 1828,
aged sixty-eight. Sir Richard was married, l)ut died s.p.
Lady Straclian bought a palace at Naples, with an estate,
which gave her the title of Marchesa di Sal /a.