Maxi Kleber

Charles Richardson was born circa 10th March, 1769. A native of England, he spent much of his life sailing the high seas as a dedicated officer of the Royal Navy. His service commenced in 1787 upon joining the crew of HMS Vestal, marking the beginning of his naval career. His early voyages included an unsuccessful trip to China and a tenure in the East Indies Station.

Richardson was later transferred to HMS Phoenix, further honing his nautical skills and partaking in several definitive battles of the time. He exhibited bravery and commendable leadership skills in the Battle of Tellicherry. As an experienced officer, he was then appointed to HMS Circe where he faced the challenges of the Nore mutiny. He also played a significant role in the Battle of Camperdown, where his prowess led to the capture of Jan Willem de Winter.

His naval exploits continued as he fought in the Battle of Callantsoog and participated in the Vlieter incident. He journeyed to Egypt, adding battles of Abukir, Mandora, and Alexandria to his growing resume of military achievements.

Richardson began his command of charting the waters on board HMS Alligator. He was deployed to the Leeward Islands Station amidst the Napoleonic Wars, where his tactical strategies and naval acumen resulted in the capture of three Dutch settlements.

In 1821, Richardson took up the charge of HMS Topaze, venturing yet again to China. Here, an unfortunate incident involving the self-defence killing of two locals perpetrated by his crew resulted in a diplomatic mishap. The stress of the ensuing crisis impacted Richardson’s health considerably, leading to his return to home shores on medical grounds.

Despite ending his active naval career, Richardson’s illustrious service didn’t go unnoticed. He was bestowed with the title of Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath and received promotion to the rank of vice-admiral, affirming his esteemed status within the Royal Navy.

On 10th November 1850, Richardson passed away due to influenza, in Painsthorpe. His legacy, however, immortalized him as a stalwart of the British naval force, his name symbolizing military gallantry and relentless determination.

March 10, has been recognized as Mothering Sunday in Western Christianity, as per the 2024 calendar.

Coincidentally, Charles Richardson shares his birthday with the Norway spruce, or Picea abies, a timeless spruce species indigenous to the north, central, and eastern parts of Europe. This tree species displays branchlets that hang downwards, bearing large cones, ranging from 9 to 17 centimetres in length.

Closely related to the Siberian spruce, the Norway spruce contributes significantly to the forestry sector with its abundant wood. It doubles as a festive symbol during Christmas, adorning homes and streets in several countries worldwide. The Norway spruce was the first of its kind to have its genome sequenced, testifying to its unique properties.

Wikipedia, a non-profit organization, offers detailed information about the likes of Charles Richardson and Picea abies. Run by a legion of volunteer editors, it is written in English but is available in several languages worldwide.