Duncombe Pleydell-Bouverie

Admiral The Honourable Duncombe Pleydell-Bouverie (28 June 1780 – 5 November 1850), was a British naval commander and Whig politician. Pleydell-Bouverie was the second son of Jacob Pleydell-Bouverie, 2nd Earl of Radnor, and the Honourable Anne Duncombe, daughter of Anthony Duncombe, 1st Baron Feversham. William Pleydell-Bouverie, 3rd Earl of Radnor, was his elder brother. Pleydell-Bouverie served in the Royal Navy, entering the Academy at Portsmouth in 1793. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 16 February 1799 and to Commander on 14 February 1801. His first command was HMS Penguin from 28 August. Bouverie was promoted to post captain in on 2 April 1802. He commanded several ships in various duties until being appointed to on 20 February 1806. He held this command for seven years, taking part in the operations in the Río de la Plata (1806-7) including the blockade and siege of Montevideo. In November 1806, Medusa apprehended the American trading brig Harry and Jane, and pressed a number of its crew into service with the Royal Navy. Included in these "volunteers" was an English sailor, George Thomas, who was a skilled navigator. Bouverie rapidly promoted him, and he went on to become a distinguished hydrographic surveyor. Bouverie, supported by Alexander Dalrymple Hydrographer of the Navy, published a report with sailing directions for the Río de la Plata based on his own observations and surveys.