BRADBY, Matthew Barton
(1781-1831)

Naval officer in the Royal Navy; commanding officer of HMS Calypso which conveyed Lachlan Macquarie from Kronstadt, Russia (via Copenhagen) to Yarmouth, England in September-October 1807.
Commissioned: Lieutenant 14 July 1796; Commander 29 April 1802; Captain 28 June 1810.
Married: Catherine Hodgkins DOUGLAS (1784-1874) on 25 November 1808 at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England; daughter of William Henry Douglas (1749-1809) Vice Admiral of the Blue, and Ann Weatherall. No children.
Died: 5 May 1831 at Portsmouth when his boat was struck by lightning:

"PORTSMOUTH, May 6 - A dreadful accident happened yesterday, in a squall of hail with thunder and lightning. As Sir Joseph Yorke, Captain Young and Captain Bradby were going from Hamble to visit the St Vincent (three decker), at Spithead, the little yacht in which they were was struck with lightning, and all on board (Sir Joseph Yorke, the two Captains, the master of the boat, and two boys) were killed. They were all picked up floating at Spithread this morning."
Source: The Derby Mercury 7 May 1831 Issue 5157.

References:
The Naval Chronicle Vol. 20 [July-Dec 1808] p.493.

The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815. (eds.) David Syrett and R.L. DiNardo. Aldershot, Hants: Scolar Press, 1994 pp.48, 130.

Genealogical Guide to Some Australian Families: Their Antecedents and Genealogies. Compiled and Edited by B. Chalmers Leask, Kt.T. Armadale, Vic.: Australian Genealogies Pty Ltd., 1979 p.153.

The Derby Mercury 7 May 1831 Issue 5157.

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