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A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Bell, Charles

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1634888A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Bell, CharlesWilliam Richard O'Byrne

BELL. (Commander, 1830. f-p., 16; h-p., 17.)

Charles Bell died in 1844. He was second son of the late Matthew Bell, Esq., of Woolsington, High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1797, by Sarah Frances, daughter of Chas. J. Brandling, Esq., of Gosforth House, in that co., formerly M.P. for Newcastle-upon-Tyne; next brother of the present Matthew Bell, Esq., of Woolsington, M.P. for the southern division of Northumberland, and a Deputy-Lieutenant; and brother-in-law of Sir John Jas. Walsham, Bart., of Knill Court, co. Hereford.

This officer entered the Navy, 2 May, 1812, as Third-cl. Vol., on board the Bulwark 74, Capt. Jas. Andrew Worth, bearing the flag in Basque Roads of Sir Philip Chas. Durham; served, from Dec. 1813, to March, 1814, latterly as Midshipman, in the Porcupine 24, and Surveillante 38, both commanded by Capt. Robt. Elliott, on the north coast of Spain; afterwards joined the Eurotas 38, Capts. Robt. Bloye and Jas. Lillicrap, cruizing off Cork; was next, between July, 1815, and Jan. 1818, transferred, in succession, to the Severn 40, Capt. Joseph Nourse, Malta 80, Capt. Thos. Gordon Caulfeild, and Tigris 36, Capt. Robt. Henderson, on the Home station; and then sailed for the East Indies in the Liverpool 40, Capt. Fras. Augustus Collier, under whom we find him, in Jan. 1820, actively employed against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, where Ras-al-Khyma, their principal resort and head-quarters, was taken, the fortifications destroyed, all their vessels burnt or sunk, and a large quantity of treasure seized. In May, 1821, Mr. Bell returned home, as Acting-Lieutenant, in the Alligator, Capt. Jas. Wilkie; and, on 9 Nov. following, he was officially promoted. He subsequently joined the Revenge 76, flag-ship in the Mediterranean of Sir Harry Burrard Neale, 20 March, 1823; served from 16 Nov. 1826, until Oct. 1827, on board the Ariadne 26, Capt. Adolphus FitzClarence, on the same station; then removed to the Cambrian 48, Capt. Gawen Wm. Hamilton, in time to act a part in the battle of Navarin; and was finally wrecked, 31 Jan. 1828. He obtained a second promotal commission 23 July, 1830; and, from 29 Sept. 1841, until the period of his death, commanded the Hazard 18, on the East India station.

Commander Bell married, first, his cousin, Mary, youngest daughter of the Rev. Ralph Henry Brandling, of Gosforth House, a Magistrate and Deputy-Lieutenant for the cos. of York (W.R.), Northumberland, and Durham; and, secondly, another cousin, Rachel, fourth daughter of Robt. Wm. Brandling, Esq., of Low Gosforth, barrister-at-law. Agents – Hallett and Robinson.