Admiral Sir Richard Hughes, 2nd Baronet (c. 1724 – 5 January 1812) was a Royal Navy officer.

Naval career

Hughes was probably born in London, England, the son of Captain Richard Hughes. He entered the Portsmouth Naval Academy in 1739.[1] He served on a number of ships in various locations during his naval career, including HMS Boreas from 1763 to 1766. It is known that Hughes was in Canada in 1778, as he was appointed resident commissioner of the Halifax dockyard.[2] This appointment was short, as by August of the same year he became governor of Nova Scotia, succeeding Mariot Arbuthnot in that position.[1] During his tenure, the main concern was the protection of the Province.[1] In 1779, he succeeded his father as baronet. He became acting commander-in-chief The Downs in 1781.[3]

Governor Hughes' residence (built 1749). (Located on the site of Province House, which still is furnished with his Nova Scotia Council table)

In 1782 Hughes was second-in-command under Lord Howe at the Relief of Gibraltar.[1] Between 1783 and 1786 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Leeward Islands Station.[4] Then in 1789 he became Commander-in-Chief, North American Station.[1]

Legacy

Arms

Coat of arms of Sir Richard Hughes, 2nd Baronet
Crest
A lion couchant Or.[5]
Escutcheon
Azure a lion rampant Or

References

Government offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
1778–1781
Served under: Francis Legge
Succeeded by
Military offices
Preceded by Resident Commissioner, Halifax
1778–1781
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, The Downs
(Acting)

1781–1782
Vacant
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, Leeward Islands Station
1783–1786
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, North American Station
1789–1792
Succeeded by
Baronetage of Great Britain
Preceded by Baronet
(of East Bergholt)
1779–1812
Succeeded by
Robert Hughes


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