View source for Richard Bowen (Royal Navy officer)

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}

{{Infobox military person
|name=Richard Bowen
|birth_date=1761
|death_date= 25 July 1797
|image=Captain Richard Bowen.jpg
|caption=
|birth_place = [[Ilfracombe]], [[Devon]]
|death_place = [[Santa Cruz de Tenerife]], [[Tenerife]], [[Canary Islands]]
|nickname=
|residence =  [[United Kingdom]]
|nationality =  [[United Kingdom|British]]
|allegiance={{flag|Kingdom of Great Britain}}
|serviceyears=1779–1797
|rank=[[Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain]]
|branch= {{navy|Kingdom of Great Britain}}
|commands={{HMS|Zebra|1780|6}}<br>{{HMS|Veteran|1787|6}}<br>{{HMS|Terpsichore|1785|6}}
|unit=
|battles=
{{tree list}}
* [[French Revolutionary Wars]]
** [[Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1797)|Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife]]{{KIA}}
{{tree list/end}}
|awards=
|relations=[[James Bowen (Royal Navy officer)|James Bowen]] (brother)<br>[[John Bowen (colonist)|John Bowen]] (nephew)
}}

'''Richard Bowen''' (1761 &ndash; 25 July 1797) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]] who served during the [[American War of Independence]] and the [[French Revolutionary Wars]]. Bowen saw service with [[Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson|Horatio Nelson]], and was killed fighting alongside him at the [[Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1797)|Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife]].

Bowen was born into a naval family, and first saw service alongside several distinguished naval figures, including [[John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent|John Jervis]], who would become a long-standing friend and patron to Bowen. Bowen rose to prominence after distinguishing himself in several actions, but was unable to gain a commission by the end of the war with America, and spent several years in the [[Caribbean]], hoping to receive promotion. He took the opportunity to carry out a resupply mission to the colonies in Australia during the interwar years, a task he completed successfully, even though it involved a circumnavigation of the globe. Away from Britain for a considerable length of time while carrying this out, he found on his return that war had broken out with France. Reuniting with his old patron Jervis, Bowen returned to the Caribbean and after distinguishing himself in actions against the French colonies there, finally received his own commands. He followed Jervis to the Mediterranean and took part in several hard-fought frigate actions, and even went so far as to attack the [[Spanish ship Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Trinidad (1769)|''Santísima Trinidad'']], the largest warship in the world at the time, in his 32-gun frigate, {{HMS|Terpsichore|1785|6}}. He was operating off [[Tenerife]] in 1797 when he came under the command of Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson, who was quickly impressed by Bowen's zeal and ability. Bowen was given the task of leading the first wave of the assault on the town of [[Santa Cruz de Tenerife]], but the attack went badly. The defenders poured [[grapeshot]] onto the attacking British, killing and wounding many, Bowen was killed while Nelson was badly wounded.

Bowen's body was recovered and buried at sea. His friends and relations pressured the authorities for the erection of a memorial in one of the main [[London]] churches, but their requests were turned down.

==Family and early life==
Bowen was born in [[Ilfracombe]], [[Devon]] in 1761.<ref name="Tracy46">{{cite book |last=Tracy |title=Who's who in Nelson's Navy |page=46}}</ref> The Bowens were a seafaring family, with Richard's older brother [[James Bowen (Royal Navy officer)|James]] and two other siblings, George and Thomas, all serving in the navy.<ref name="ODNB">{{cite ODNB |last=Laughton |title=Bowen, James|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/3038 |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/3038?docPos=3}}</ref> Richard went to sea at the age of thirteen, joining his father, who was captain of merchant ship.<ref name="Clarke355">{{cite book |last=Clarke|title=The Naval Chronicle |page=355}}</ref> After two years with his father Richard joined his elder brother James' merchant ship and made trading voyages between England and [[Jamaica]]. He was at Jamaica in 1778 when news reached him of the outbreak of war with the American colonies.<ref name="Clarke355"/> He applied to join the navy as a volunteer and a position was found for him by his friend, Captain [[Benjamin Caldwell]], then the commander of the frigate {{HMS|Emerald|1762|6}}.<ref name="Campbell70">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=70}}</ref> Caldwell and Bowen sailed to England in 1779, whereupon Caldwell was appointed to command the 50-gun {{HMS|Hannibal|1779|6}}. Finding her to be unready for sea, Bowen and a number of the officers from ''Emerald'' joined the [[guardship]] at [[the Nore]], {{HMS|Dunkirk|1754|6}}.<ref name="Campbell70"/> Caldwell went on to equip the 14-gun [[sloop-of-war|ship-sloop]] [[HMS Sylph (1776)|HMS ''Lightning'']] for service while awaiting the launch of ''Hannibal'', and Bowen received an appointment to her and the position of [[midshipman]] on 12 August 1779.<ref name="Tracy46"/> Despite this he does not seem to have served aboard her, instead joining {{HMS|Foudroyant|1758|6}} under Captain [[John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent|John Jervis]].<ref name="Campbell71">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=71}}</ref>

Bowen served with Jervis aboard ''Foudroyant'' for several years. On 29 July 1781 ''Foudroyant'' was part of Vice-Admiral [[George Darby|Sir George Darby's]] fleet when two French warships were sighted.  The wind made prevented the British from approaching, causing Darby to order boats to tow {{HMS|Perseverance|1781|6}} into range.<ref name="Campbell71"/> Bowen commanded one of the boats, and his actions and exertions caused favourable comments from his superiors. ''Perseverance'' was able to capture one of the French ships, which proved to be the former British {{HMS|Lively|1756|6}}, while the second French ship, the [[corvette]] ''Hirondelle'', escaped by using her [[Sweep (rowing)|sweeps]].<ref name="Campbell71"/> Bowen's second chance to prove his qualities came in 1782, after Darby had been succeeded by [[Samuel Barrington]] as commander of the [[Channel Fleet]].  On 20 April an enemy French fleet was sighted by lookouts aboard Captain [[John MacBride (Royal Navy officer)|John MacBride's]] {{HMS|Artois|1780|6}}.<ref name="Campbell71"/> A general chase ensued, forcing the French fleet to disperse. ''Foudroyant'' led the chase and eventually became separated from the rest of the fleet. Jervis pressed on, bringing the sternmost French ship, the 74-gun [[French ship Pégase (1781)|''Pégase'']] to action early in the morning of 21 April and [[Battle of Ushant (1782)|forcing her to surrender]].<ref name="Campbell71"/> Bowen acted as [[aide-de-camp]] to Jervis during the battle, and acquitted himself so well that Jervis advanced him to acting-lieutenant.<ref name="Campbell72">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=72}}</ref> Bowen also received a sword from his friend [[Robert Calder]].<ref name="Campbell72"/>

The damaged ''Foudroyant'' underwent a repair and refit, during which time Jervis arranged for the transfer of some his crew including Bowen to MacBride's ''Artois''. Bowen, serving as third-lieutenant, and MacBride cruised in the [[Bay of Biscay]], with Richard coincidentally serving under his brother James, the elder Bowen being the [[master (sailing)|master]] of ''Artois''.<ref name="Campbell72"/> Richard's service aboard ''Artois'' came to an end when Jervis, by now appointed commodore and commander-in-chief of a secret expedition, sent for his men to rejoin ''Foudroyant''. The war came to an end before the expedition could be carried out and ''Foudroyant'' was paid off. Jervis found a place for Bowen as master's mate aboard HMS ''Pegase'', the ship he had helped to capture in 1782.<ref name="Campbell72"/> From there he was moved to the 98-gun {{HMS|Blenheim|1761|6}} and in late 1783 to the 50-gun {{HMS|Adamant|1780|6}}. He went out in the later ship to the [[West Indies]] with Rear-Admiral [[Sir Richard Hughes, 2nd Baronet|Sir Richard Hughes]]. He spent three years on the station, several times being appointed temporary lieutenant but being unable to have the commission confirmed.<ref name="Campbell72"/>

==Years of frustration==
Bowen returned home in 1786, and passed his examination on 7 November 1787.<ref name="Tracy46"/> With the prospect of war with the Dutch looming in 1787 he received an appointment to {{HMS|Royal Sovereign|1786|6}}, which was being prepared as the [[flagship]] of Admiral [[Hugh Pigot (Royal Navy officer, born 1722)|Hugh Pigot]]. Bowen hoped for a lieutenant's commission, but was to be disappointed, the war did not materialise and he found himself unemployed again.<ref name="Campbell73">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=73}}</ref> He went out to the West Indies on the advice of his brother James, and his patron Jervis, and with their recommendations he was able to secure the attention of the commander of the station Commodore [[Sir Peter Parker, 1st Baronet|Sir Peter Parker]].<ref name="Campbell73"/> Parker made him acting-lieutenant of the 50-gun {{HMS|Jupiter|1778|6}} on his arrival in January 1788, but he was superseded shortly afterwards by the arrival of Lord William Beauclerk. Temporarily shelving hopes for promotion, he took command of the government [[brig]] ''Lord Howe'' at the request of [[Sir John Orde, 1st Baronet|Sir John Orde]], the Governor of [[Dominica]]. As captain of the ''Lord Howe'' he carried out anti-smuggling operations until July 1789.<ref name="Campbell73"/>

==Promotion==
During this time Bowen made studies of mathematics, astronomy and surveying, before returning to serve under his old patron, now Rear-Admiral Sir John Jervis, in 1790 during the [[Spanish Armament]]. He finally received his long-awaited commission as lieutenant on 21 September 1790, and an appointment to Jervis's flagship {{HMS|Prince|1788|6}}.<ref name="Campbell74">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=74}}</ref> Bowen's friend Robert Calder then requested his services aboard the 64-gun {{HMS|Stately|1784|6}}. ''Stately'' was paid off after the easing of tensions and Bowen applied to the [[Navy Board]] for a posting.<ref name="Tracy46"/><ref name="Campbell74"/> The Board gave him command of three transports in the [[Third Fleet (Australia)|Third Fleet]] to resupply the colony at [[Port Jackson]], [[New South Wales]]. He departed England in March 1791 and reached Port Jackson in July that year. There the Lieutenant-Governor, [[Philip Gidley King]], decided that the rice supply was insufficient for the needs of the colony and despatched Bowen to [[Bengal]] to acquire more.<ref name="Tracy47">{{cite book |last=Tracy |title=Who's who in Nelson's Navy |page=47}}</ref> Bowen set off on the voyage, dropping King and his family at [[Norfolk Island]] on the way, and sailed east past [[New Caledonia]], the [[Isle of Pines, New Caledonia|Isle of Pines]] and Terra Arsacides, a route never before sailed.<ref name="Campbell74"/> He also sailed a never-before navigated passage, between [[Borneo]] and [[Paragua]] into the [[South China Sea]]. From there he passed through the [[Straits of Malacca]], reaching Bengal in January 1792.<ref name="Campbell74"/> After acquiring provisions he made his way back to Port Jackson. He picked up Governor [[Arthur Phillip]] in December and returned him to Britain, arriving at [[Spithead]] in May 1793. By then he had completed two long voyages, one of them around the world, in a transport vessel.<ref name="Campbell75">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=75}}</ref>

==French Revolutionary Wars==

===Caribbean===
By the time of Bowen's arrival war had broken out between France and Britain. He was offered a chance to perform a similar to mission to his earlier voyages to the colonies in Australia, but turned in down in order to serve under Jervis, now commander-in-chief of an expedition to attack the French colonies in the Caribbean.<ref name="Campbell75"/> Bowen joined the fleet as fourth-lieutenant and signal-officer aboard the 98-gun {{HMS|Boyne|1790|6}}, and after the fleet had rendezvoused at [[Barbadoes]], sailed for [[Martinique]] on 3 February 1794.<ref name="Clarke359">{{cite book |last=Clarke|title=The Naval Chronicle |page=359}}</ref> Jervis placed Bowen in command of the guard and gunboats after the fleet's arrival at [[Fort de France]] Bay, and instructed him to prepare an assault on a large French frigate, the ''Bien Venu'', chained to the walls of the [[Fort Saint Louis (Martinique)|fort]] protecting the city. The frigate was rumoured to hold a number of captured English prisoners, whom the French were threatening to kill by blowing up the frigate, should the British attempt to storm the fort.<ref name="Campbell75"/> Bowen developed a plan of attack and on 17 February led an assault force consisting of ''Boyne''{{'}}s barge and a number of small boats. The boats rushed the frigate and the boarding party stormed her successfully. The boarding party killed or drove off all of her crew, with the exception of twenty whom Bowen took prisoner, among them the captain and lieutenant. Finding that there were no British prisoners aboard, Bowen manned the cannon and fired a broadside into the fort. He then took his prisoners off and returned to the British ships. Only the contrary wind prevented Bowen from sailing the frigate out as well.<ref name="Clarke360">{{cite book |last=Clarke|title=The Naval Chronicle |page=360}}</ref>

===Promotion===
Bowen received a mention in Jervis's despatches, where he was credited for convincing the commanders to carry out their assault on the fortified French positions. Bowen and the gunboats supported the landings, which resulted in a British victory. Bowen's former quarry, the ''Bien Venu'', was captured and commissioned as {{HMS|Undaunted|1794|6}} under the command of Captain [[Robert Faulknor the younger|Robert Faulknor]], who had distinguished himself in the battle while commanding {{HMS|Zebra|1780|6}}.<ref name="Clarke361">{{cite book |last=Clarke|title=The Naval Chronicle |page=361}}</ref> Faulknor was given command of ''Undaunted'' on 20 March 1794, the same day the Bowen was promoted to master and commander, and succeeded Faulknor in command of ''Zebra''.<ref name="Tracy47"/><ref name="Clarke362">{{cite book |last=Clarke|title=The Naval Chronicle |page=362}}</ref> Bowen was promoted to [[post-captain]] in April, and briefly took command of the 64-gun {{HMS|Veteran|1787|6}}, before moving to the 32-gun {{HMS|Terpsichore|1785|6}}.<ref name="Campbell77">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=77}}</ref> He was sent out in the ''Terpsichore'' to North America, where he learnt that {{HMS|Daedalus|1780|6}}, under Captain [[Sir Charles Knowles, 2nd Baronet|Sir Charles Knowles]], was being blockaded in the [[Chesapeake Bay|Chesapeake]] by two French frigates. Bowen set out to relieve him, an act he accomplished on 17 May, when the two British ships escaped to sea. The French attempted to pursue, but broke off when the British offered battle.<ref name="Campbell77"/> ''Terpsichore'' and ''Daedalus'' sailed in company to [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]], after which Bowen returned to the Caribbean.<ref name="Campbell78"/>

There he found the British positions on [[Guadeloupe]] under pressure from French forces, and helped to resupply them until it was deemed necessary to evacuate them. He ably oversaw the withdrawal, but received a wound to the face from French shot while assisting in the evacuation of the last of the troops.<ref name="Campbell78">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=78}}</ref> He received notes of praise from Rear-Admiral [[Sir Charles Thompson, 1st Baronet|Charles Thompson]] and Vice-Admiral [[Benjamin Caldwell]] of the navy, and General [[John Vaughan (British Army officer, died 1795)|Sir John Vaughan]] and Lieutenant-General [[Robert Prescott]] from the army.<ref name="Clarke363-5">{{cite book |last=Clarke|title=The Naval Chronicle |pages=363–5}}</ref> The wound however became dangerous in the Caribbean climate, and he was sent home with the despatches.<ref name="Campbell79">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=79}}</ref>

===North Sea and Mediterranean===

====Gibraltar and ''Mahonesa''====
Bowen soon recovered, and spent some time in the [[North Sea]], until December 1795, when his old patron, Jervis, replaced Admiral [[William Hotham, 1st Baron Hotham|William Hotham]] as commander of the [[Mediterranean Fleet (United Kingdom)|Mediterranean Fleet]].<ref name="Campbell79"/> Jervis requested Bowen to come out and take command of a squadron of small vessels operating around [[Gibraltar]] in defence of British trade and the garrison there. He soon made himself popular, and contemporaries remarked on his zeal and dedication.<ref name="Campbell79"/> In early October 1796 the British squadron under Sir John Man was chased into Gibraltar by a Spanish fleet. Bowen set out in ''Terpsichore'' to report this to Jervis, and having rendezvoused with {{HMS|Pallas|1793|6}} of Jervis's fleet on 10 October, began the return voyage to Gibraltar.<ref name="Campbell79"/> While off [[Cartagena, Spain|Cartagena]] on 13 October, a frigate was spotted under full sail. Bowen's crew had been reduced by sickness, but he decided to chase down the mysterious sail. After closing on her, and determining that she was attempting to manoeuvre into a position to better fight the ''Terpsichore'', Bowen ordered a gun be fired to test her intent.<ref name="Campbell80">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=80}}</ref> This was instantly met with a broadside, and a general action began. After an hour and forty minutes the frigate surrendered, and was discovered to be the Spanish ''Mahonesa''.<ref name="Campbell81">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=81}}</ref> She was taken into service with the British as {{HMS|Mahonesa|1796|6}}.<ref name="Colledge">{{cite book |last=Colledge |title=Ships of the Royal Navy|page=212}}</ref> Bowen received a piece of plate valued at 100 [[guinea (British coin)|guineas]].<ref name="Campbell85">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=82}}</ref>

====Spanish ship and ''Vestale''====
Bowen refitted ''Terpsichore'' and departed on another cruise, capturing several small vessels on 12 and 13 November, sending them to Gibraltar, and on 22 November he learned from an American brig that he had encountered off Cape St. Mary's, that a Spanish ship bound for [[Cadiz]] from [[Montevideo]] was in the area.<ref name="Campbell83">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=83}}</ref> Bad weather prevented Bowen from locating the Spanish vessel at first, and he also had to escape from a Spanish ship of the line that appeared and chased the ''Terpsichore'' for a while. The Spanish ship was found to be anchored in Cadiz, and at 10 am the next day Bowen entered the harbour, captured the ship and brought her out.<ref name="Campbell83"/> Bowen continued to cruise off Cadiz, and while sailing through a gale on the morning of 12 December, the lookouts spotted a frigate. Bowen gave chase, with both ships hampered by the rough weather, so that it was only after 40 hours that Bowen was able to bring ''Terpsichore'' alongside and at 10 o'clock on the night of 13 December the two ships engaged each other.<ref name="Campbell83"/> After two hours the frigate surrendered, and was discovered to be the 36-gun French ''Vestale'', with 270 men aboard.<ref name="Campbell84">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=84}}</ref> She had lost her captain and 40 men killed, while her second captain and another 50 men were wounded. The ''Terpsichore'' had casualties of a quartermaster and three seamen killed, and nineteen wounded.<ref name="Campbell84"/> Among the wounded was Lieutenant George Bowen, Richard Bowen's brother. George Bowen had distinguished himself during the capture of the ''Mahonesa'', as well as being particularly active now in the capture of ''Vestale''. Richard reported that {{cquote|My brother, who was the only lieutenant onboard, and on whom fell the task of conducting the duty on the maindeck, was, by a shot fired after our opponent had actually struck, very severely, and as I much dread, incurably wounded, chiefly in the shoulder, but with the addition of several bad contusions in different places. I feel thankful, however, that I was not deprived of his co-operation, or my feelings agitated by the occasion, until our united efforts were crowned with success.{{Ref_label|A|a|none}}<ref name="Campbell84"/>||}}

Shortly after the French surrender all of ''Vestale''{{'}}s masts and her [[bowsprit]] went by the board. She began to drift towards the breakers off Cadiz, while her crew were drunk. The British prize-crew managed to regain control, and both ships managed to ride out the storm that night.<ref name="Campbell84"/> It was not until the following evening that the wind changed sufficiently for Bowen to attempt to tow his prize away.<ref name="Campbell85"/> The line became snagged on a rock, and had to be cut for the safety of both vessels. When dawn broke the next day Bowen discovered that the French had risen up against the prize crew and retaken the ship, sailing her into Cadiz. Now bereft of his prize, Bowen returned to port empty handed, writing to Jervis that 'As we feel conscious of having done out duty, to the utmost of our power, we endeavour to console ourselves with the expectation of our conduct being approved.'<ref name="Campbell85"/> Jervis confirmed this, writing {{cquote|Dear Bowen, The intelligence we received from the patrons of two pilot-boats, when off Cadiz, on the 17th December, that the French frigate then lying between the Diamond and Procros, had been dismasted and captured by an English frigate, impressed us all with an opinion, that the Terpsichore had achieved this gallant action. I lament exceedingly that you and your brave crew were deprived of the substantial reward of your exertions; but you cannot fail to receive the tribute due to you from the government and country at large.{{Ref_label|B|b|none}}<ref name="Campbell85"/>||}}

====Cape St Vincent and ''Santísima Trinidad''====
Bowen was at Gibraltar when news of Jervis's victory at the [[Battle of Cape St Vincent (1797)|Battle of Cape St Vincent]] arrived. He immediately set out to join the fleet, and having fallen in with several other British frigates, including {{HMS|Emerald|1795|6}}, came across the Spanish [[first rate]] [[Spanish ship Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Trinidad (1769)|''Santísima Trinidad'']]. The Spanish ship was flying the [[Union Jack]] above her own colours, indicating that she was in the hands of a British prize-crew, but the bad weather meant no meaningful exchange could take place between the frigates and the Spanish vessel, and it was suspected that the British colours were being used as a [[Ruse of war|''ruse de guerre'']].<ref name="Campbell86">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=86}}</ref> After the frigates lost sight of the ship in bad weather, Bowen hurried to report the sighting to Jervis. While returning to his station he again fell in with the ''Santísima Trinidad'', and determined to see if she would surrender to him. He opened fire on the massive Spanish vessel, at the time the world's largest warship, carrying 136-guns on four decks, over a hundred more guns than the ''Terpsichore''.<ref name="Campbell86"/> The Spanish ship resisted Bowen's fire, and he broke off the attack. It was later discovered that Bowen's attack had killed nine men, and left a number of others badly wounded.<ref name="Campbell87">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=87}}</ref>

====The Spanish retreat====
''Terpsichore'' was in harbour, tied alongside the Mole in late May, and taking advantage of her apparent unreadiness to put to sea, two Spanish frigates carrying troops and money, attempted to leave [[Algeciras]] on 29 May.<ref name="Campbell87"/> This was reported to Bowen, who quickly got ''Terpsichore'' to sea, and joining {{HMS|Pallas|1793|6}}, gave chase. Rather than risk an engagement the two Spanish ships rushed back to port. ''Terpsichore'' had by now gained the nickname 'Little Devil' amongst the Spanish.<ref name="Campbell87"/> ''Pallas'' returned to port, but ''Terpsichore'' lingered, and that night captured a small prize from under the guns of the Spanish shore batteries.<ref name="Campbell87"/>

====Cutting Out of the ''Principe Fernando''====
In April Jervis sent Bowen in the ''Terpsichore'' accompanied by the ''Dido'' to reconnoitre off Tenerife, where they found the Cadiz-bound [[:de:Angriff auf Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1797)|Philippine frigates ''Principe Fernando'' and ''El Principe d'Asturia'' in the Bay of Santa Cruz]]. On the night of 17/18 April a joint cutting out expedition was mounted by the two British frigates, each sending three boats of which those from the ''Terpsichore'' under the command of its First Lieutenant (Lieutenant [[George Thorp (Royal Navy)|George Thorp]]) successfully captured the nearer of the Indiamen to the shore,<ref>Letters from Lieutenant George Thorp to his family</ref> ''Principe Fernando'', sailing and towing her to sea while under fire from shore batteries for two hours.

==Santa Cruz and death==
Bowen took part in the first bombardment of [[Santa Cruz de Tenerife]] on 5 July, and worked with Rear-Admiral [[Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson|Horatio Nelson]] to prepare plans for an assault on the town.<ref name="Campbell89">{{cite book |last=Campbell |title=Naval history of Great Britain |page=89}}</ref> In the [[Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1797)|Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife]] on 24 July Bowen was assigned to lead the landing parties onto the mole. At the head of forty or fifty of his men he gained the mole, took the battery covering the harbour by storm and spiked its guns, and was advancing into the town in pursuit of the fleeing Spanish.<ref name="Campbell89"/> As he did so the Spanish fired a large round of [[grapeshot]] onto his party, causing heavy casualties. Bowen and his first lieutenant ([[George Thorp (Royal Navy)|George Thorp]]) were among those killed, while Nelson and his men, who were just landing, were caught in the fire, Nelson being hit in his right arm.<ref name="Campbell89"/> Bowen's body was recovered the next morning and returned to the British ships after the withdrawal. Nelson said of Bowen that '...a more enterprising, able, and gallant officer, does not grace His Majesty's naval service!'<ref name="Campbell89"/> Bowen was buried at sea on 27 July.<ref name="Campbell89"/>

==Legacy==
There were applications after Bowen's death for a memorial to be erected to him in [[Westminster Abbey]].<ref name="Clarke378">{{cite book |last=Clarke|title=The Naval Chronicle |page=376}}</ref> Both his brother, Rear-Admiral James Bowen, and Sir John Jervis pressured the [[First Lord of the Admiralty]] [[George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer|Lord Spencer]], while Nelson wrote to Jervis; {{cquote|Why is not a monument voted in St. Paul's, to perpetuate the memory of the gallant Bowen? I put it strongly to Lord Spencer. If you have an opportunity, pray express my surprise, that no mention has been made in either House of Parliament.<ref name="Clarke378"/>||}} 
Spencer demurred however, on the grounds that there was no precedent for such a memorial, when the action in which he was killed was not successful.<ref name="Clarke378"/> His father instead had a memorial to him erected in [[Ilfracombe]] parish church.<ref name="Clarke378"/> The ''Naval Chronicle'' summarised his life and achievements;
{{cquote|...that spirited and indefatigable officer, who, in time of peace, had relieved and rescued from ruin an infant colony; who had taken from the enemy three frigates, of very superior force, after obstinate engagements, and one of them with boats only, in the face of a powerful land force; who had preserved, to render further services to his Majesty, the brave garrison of Fort Matilda, at Guadeloupe; who had, in his little frigate, engaged the largest first rate in the Spanish navy; who had annoyed the enemy's trade almost beyond example; who, for the protection which he had afforded to the commerce of Britain, had received the most honourable acknowledgements from the merchants of London; who had been dangerously wounded in the execution of his duty; and who had finally laid down his inestimable life, for the glory of his King and Country.<ref name="Clarke378"/>||}}
[[Jervis Bay]] in New South Wales, Australia was entered and named by Bowen in 1791 in the convict transport ship [[Atlantic (1783 ship)|''Atlantic'']] of the [[Third Fleet (Australia)|Third Fleet]], in honour of Admiral John Jervis. When explorer [[George Bass]] entered the same bay on 10 December 1797 he named [[Bowen Island (Jervis Bay)|Bowen Island]]<ref>{{cite book|title=The Jervis Bay Region 1788 to 1939 an Emptied Landscape|year=2007|publisher=Lady Denman Heritage Complex|isbn=978-0-9586447-30|pages=6}}</ref> in honour of Richard Bowen, who had been killed in July of that year.

==Notes==
{{refbegin}}
'''a.''' {{Note_label|A|a|none}} George Bowen recovered from his wound, and was promoted to commander for his service during the action. Jervis wrote in his congratulatory letter to Richard Bowen {{cquote|I was very much agitated by the danger you apprehended your brother was in, when you wrote: I have, however, derived great consolation from the report of Captain Mansfield, that he was much recovered and was able to walk down to the Mole, before he sailed.<ref name="Campbell85"/>||}}

'''B.''' {{Note_label|B|b|none}} The ''Vestale'' was captured in 1799 by Captain [[Charles Cunningham]]'s {{HMS|Clyde|1796|6}}.<ref name="Clarke372">{{cite book |last=Clarke|title=The Naval Chronicle |page=372}}</ref>
{{refend}}

==Citations==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*{{cite ODNB |first=J. K. |last=Laughton|author-link=J. K. Laughton|chapter=Bowen, James (1751–1835)|chapter-url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/3038?docPos=3|title=[[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]] |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/3038 }}
*{{cite book|first=John|last=Campbell|author-link=John Campbell (author)|title=Naval History of Great Britain: Including the History and Lives of the British Admirals|publisher=Baldwyn and Co.|year=1818|location=London|volume=7}}
*{{cite book|first=James Stanier|last=Clarke|author-link=James Stanier Clarke|author2=Jones, Stephen|title=The Naval Chronicle|publisher=J. Gold|year=1810|location=London|volume=23}}
*{{Colledge}}
*{{cite book |first=Nicholas|last=Tracy|title=Who's who in Nelson's Navy: 200 Naval Heroes|year=2006|publisher=Chatham Publishing|location=London|isbn=1-86176-244-5}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bowen, Richard}}
[[Category:1761 births]]
[[Category:1797 deaths]]
[[Category:Royal Navy captains]]
[[Category:British military personnel killed in the French Revolutionary Wars]]
[[Category:Royal Navy personnel of the French Revolutionary Wars]]
[[Category:People from Ilfracombe]]
[[Category:Burials at sea]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Devon]]
[[Category:Royal Navy personnel of the American Revolutionary War]]