Alexander Fordyce (politician)

[5] At the age of 13, Fordyce entered the navy as a volunteer on board the Désirée where he was commanded by his relative, Captain Arthur Farquhar, and was actively employed at the blockade of the German rivers, and at the reduction of Cuxhaven in December 1813 and Glückstadt in January 1814.

Upon his return to England, he is believed to have been almost lost off Dover, with the frigate having taken ground at the foot of Shakespeare's Cliff, only freed when masts and spars were cut away, and guns, provisions and stores were thrown overboard.

[2] In April 1816, he became one of the first to pass the examination for navigation at the Royal Naval College, and just four months later was serving at the bombardment of Algiers on board the Albion, captained by John Coode.

[2] He returned to England in March 1827, and then officiated as first-lieutenant from May 1829 to June 1833 aboard the Algerine, captained by Charles Talbot and John Frederick Fitzgerald De Roos.

Upon leaving the ship, he was presented by his captain with a "handsome sword, bearing an appropriate inscription" as well as a silver snuff-box from the warrant officers, seamen, and marines "in grateful acknowledgement of his unwearied efforts to promote their happiness and comfort during a period of four years' service".