NAVAL BIOGRAPHY. The late Richard Hussey Hussey (formerly Moubray), K. C. B., Vice-Admiral of the Red. This officer descended from an ancient family in Flfeshire, was second and youngest son of Robert Moubray, M.D., proprietor of the lands of Cockairny, in that county, by Arabella, youngest daughter of Thomas Hussey, of Wrexham, in Denbighshire, Esquire. He was born at Devonport, March 16, 1776, and commenced his naval career, as a midshipman, on board the Impregnable, 98 guns, bearing the flag of his relative, the late Sir Richard Bickerton, Bart., in 1789. At the time of the Spanish armament, 1790, that ship formed part of the grand fleet under Earl Howe. During the ensuing three years, he served successfully in the Pegasus and Andromeda frigates, and Europa, 50 guns, on the Newfoundland, Channel, and Jamaica stations; and in the latter was present at the capture of Jeremie, and Cape Nichola Mole, Saint Domingo, by Commodore Ford, and Lieut. Colonel Whitelocke, September 20 and 23, 1793. By the former officer, with whom he had proceeded to the West Indies in the preceding year, Mr. Moubray was soon after promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, in the Magicienne, 32 guns. From that frigate, he returned to the Europa, still carrying the Commdore’s broad pendant, and was first Lieutenant of her at the capture of Port-au-Prince. On the 9th of June, 1794, five days after the surrender of that important place, Mr. Moubray was appointed to command the Fly sloop-of-war, and ordered to convey Capt. Rowley and Lieut. Colonel Whitelocke, the bearers of the despatches relative thereto, to England. In the ensuing month of December. we find him escorting H. R. H. the Duke of York from Helveotsluys to Harwich; and, subsequently, assisting at the capture of two Dutch line-of-battle ships, a frigate, two sloops of war, nine East lndiamen, and about sixty other vessels in Plymouth Sound. He was afterwards employed in convoying the trade to and from Gibraltar, and the different ports in the Channel. Capt. Moubray's post commission bears date 10th April, 1797; from which period he served as a volunteer with Sir Richard Bickerton, in the Ramillies and Terrible, seventy four's, till that officer’s promotion to a flag, 14th February, 1799. In 1801, he obtained the command of the Maidstone frigate; and in the following year was sent to the Mediterranean wit despatches relative to the ratification of the treaty of Amiens. Soon after the renewal of hostilities, in 1803, our officer captured the French brig-of-war l'Arab, eight guns, 58 men, from Athens, laden with antiques for the Consular Government. On the 1st of August following, he was appointed by Lord Nelson to the Active, 38 guns, employed principally as a frigate of observation off Toulon —a service requiring the utmost vigilance and activity; during his continuance can which he was repeatedly chased away by the enemy's squadron. On the 18th January, 1805, the Active and Seahorse were pursued by the whole French fleet, but fortunately effected their escape, although at one time within gunshot; and the next day communicated the intelligence to Lord Nelson, who was then lying at anchor between the Madelena Islands, situated to the northward of Sardinia. From that period till month of April, when it was at length ascertained that Admiral Villeneuve had proceeded down the Mediterranean, Capt. Moubray was indefatigable in his endeavours to obtain information respecting their destination. He was then despatched with the intelligence to the fleets stationed off Brest and Ireland. After cruising for some time on the Irish station where he captured Les Amis, a French letter-of-marque, our officer was again ordered to the Mediterranean. Early in 1807, he accompanied Sir John T. Duckworth to the Dardanelles, where he greatly distinguished himself in the battle of Point Pesquies. The Active on that occasion, alter sustaining for some time the fire of several other Turkish vessels, drove on shore and blew up a frigate of the Iargest class, with which she had been closely, engaged. Returning through the Dardanelies, in company with the fleet, 3rd March, 1807, the Active received a granite shot weighing 800 pounds, and measuring 6 feet 6 inches in circumference, which passed through her side two feet above the water, and lodged on the orlop deck, close to the magazine scuttle, without injuring a man. The aperture made by it was so wide, that Capt. Moubray, on looking over the side to ascertain what damage it had done, saw two of his crew thrusting their heads through at the same moment. Had there been a necessity for hauling to the wind on the opposite tack, she must have gone down. The Active, during the whole of these operations, had only eight men wounded, one of whom, the boatswain, mortally. On the 2nd of May, 1813, Capt. Moubray being off the port of Morjean, in company with the Volontaire and Undaunted frigates, and Redwing sloop-of-war, observed the enemy actively employed in preparation for remounting cannon on two batteries, which had some time previous thereto been taken and dismantled by a detachment from the latter vessels. Viewing the importance of this situation as a place of protection to the coasting trade, he caused 100 marines of the Repulse to proceed in conjunction with those of the frigates, for the purpose of destroying the works, which was accomplished with the loss of two men killed and four wounded. The enemy had twelve killed and several taken prisoners. Early in 1814, Capt. Moubray escorted a fleet of merchantmen from Malta to England; and in the mouth of June following, paid the Repulse off at Plymouth. He was nominated a C.B., on the 4th of June, 1815; advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral on the 19th of July, 1821; nominated a K.C.B., April, 1833; and promoted to Vice-Admiral, 10th January, 1837. Died at the Wools, Huntingdonshire, 6th November, 1812, in his 67th year.
(19 Nov 1842, Hampshire Independent)