Richard Hatherill

Richard Hatherill (20 September 1769 – 1804) was a British Royal Navy officer who served during the French Revolutionary War. Born in Queenborough, Kent, on 20 September 1769, he is recorded as having first served aboard from September 1783. He passed his lieutenant's examination in 1790 and joined in that capacity on 18 October 1794. It was aboard this ship that he became embroiled in the Nore Mutiny in 1797. Hatherill and other loyal members of the crew were able to retake the ship and bring her in under heavy fire from the other mutinied ships. In 1800, the ship he was serving on was wrecked on the French coast and crew captured. Hatherill was later released in an exchange of officers.

As a lieutenant, Hatherill commanded the bomb vessel, which took part in the bombardment of Kronborg and Trekroner in March and April 1801 respectively. He was promoted to post captain following the Peace of Amiens but does not appear to have gone to sea again. By October 1804, Hatherill had become severely ill and died shortly after at the age of 35.

Early life Richard Hatherill was born on 20 September 1769 in the Kent town of Queenborough. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Hatherill had been living there since 1775, when the newly ordained Joseph was appointed perpetual curate.

Joseph served as a chaplain in the Royal Navy in 1779 and 1803, which, together with exposure to the maritime and fishing industries on the Thames and Medway rivers, may have influenced his son Richard's decision to seek employment at sea. Hatherill attended a charity-run school in London but missed more than a year of his education when he suffered an illness in 1780.

In celebration of the Peace of Amiens, a number of officers were given promotions, and Hatherill received the rank of Post Captain on 29 April 1802. He does not appear to have been given a ship however, even when the war resumed. He wrote to the Admiralty on at least two occasions, in March 1803 and July 1804, asking for employment.

Personal life Hatherill married Mary Pennall on 16 July 1800 but they had no children. Hatherill made his will on 29 October 1804, having become severely unwell. He left everything to his wife. Hatherill died shortly after, at the age of 35, and was buried on 15 November.