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POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
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RICHARD POULDEN, Esq
[Post-Captain of 1802.]

This officer was made a Lieutenant, Feb. 12, 1783, and obtained post rank, April 29, 1802. He has been principally employed in the Transport and Impress services.




CHARLES OTTER, Esq
[Post-Captain of 1802.]

This officer entered the naval service as a Midshipman on board the Monarca of 70 guns, commanded by Captain John Gell, in 1780, and bore a part in the battles between Sir Edward Hughes and M. de Suffrein, Feb. 17, April 12, July 6, and Sept. 3, 1782, as also in the action off Cuddalore, June 20, 1783[1]. The Monarca’s total loss on those occasions amounted to 28 men killed and 106 wounded. He subsequently served in the Nautilus sloop of war, and Stately of 64 guns, under the respective commands of Captains Thomas Boulden Thompson and Robert Calder, the former employed on the coast of Africa and at Newfoundland, the latter forming part of the grand fleet during the Spanish armament.

Mr. Otter received his first commission in 1790, and we find him serving as second Lieutenant of the Crescent frigate at the capture of le Reunion of 36 guns, near Cherbourgh, Oct. 20, 1793[2]. He was first Lieutenant of the same ship when she encountered a French squadron off Guernsey, June 8, 1794[3]; and also of the Orion 74, in Lord Bridport’s action off l’Orient, June 23, 1795[4]; on which latter occasion he was advanced to the rank of Commander.

Captain Otter commanded the Morgiana sloop of war during the Egyptian expedition, and brought home the duplicate despatches announcing the fall of Alexandria in 1801. He afterwards accompanied a squadron under Rear-Admiral George Campbell to the West Indies, from whence he returned