Richard Retalick

Richard Retalick (c. 1759–1813) was a Royal Navy officer who served during the American Revolutionary and French Revolutionary wars. He was promoted to captain in 1798 and commanded at the Battle of Copenhagen in April 1801

Early life and career Richard Retalick was born in St Wenn, Cornwall, in about 1759. Little is known of his early exploits, but he was promoted to lieutenant on 6 September 1779 and may have served aboard during the Spanish Armament of 1790.

Command As a lieutenant, Retalick took command of in January 1794. A 44-gun frigate would normally have required a post-captain but she had been reduced in armament and rerated as a hospital ship. He served aboard her in the Mediterranean, receiving a promotion to Commander in August 1794. when in May 1797, Retalick was appointed to the 22-gun . In the months that followed, Bonne Citoyenne, made several cruises into the western Mediterranean and took many prizes, including two French privateers of 10 and 16 guns, and two Spanish brigs carrying 8,900 silver dollars. Retalick was promoted to post-captain in 1798. When Admiral Sir Hyde Parker famously signalled to withdraw, Defiance repeated the signal but remained at her station and kept Nelson's signal for close action, flying. Twenty-four of Retalick's crew were killed in the action and a further fifty wounded. During the truce, called to discuss the Danish surrender, the Defiance and the other leading British ships attempted to move out of range but she, along with became stuck on a shoal about a mile from the fort. Retalick freed his ship by having the drinking water thrown over the side.

Family Richard Retalick married a Phoebe Downall from Portsea in June 1790. Retalick may have fathered a daughter, Elizabeth Dolphina, born in Portsea in 1796. His wife was not the mother, and Elizabeth may even have been a niece, but she was obviously important to Retalick, who named her after his first command and provided an annuity for her in his will.

Retalick was not hugely successful in terms of prize money and following his death, in Padstow, on 28 August 1813, his wife sought financial assistance from The Charity for the Relief of Officers' Widows.