Captain Richard Creyke, R.N. (1746-1826) first went to sea when he accompanied the Hon. John Byron on the latter's voyage of discovery and circumnavigation of the globe in 1764-66. Upon joining the Navy, he was made Lieutenant in 1770 and subsequently Commander in 1778 at which time he was appointed to the captured American sloop Otter -- 14 guns. Retaining command of the Otter for the rest of the American War of Independence, he saw a considerable amount of action under Sir George Collier and assisted at the capture and destruction of numerous settlements on the Elizabeth River and on the coast of Connecticut. He also took part in Collier's foray up the Penobscot River in August 1779 when 19 armed American vessels and over 20 transports were either taken or destroyed. Made Captain in December 1782, he was appointed Governor of Plymouth Naval Hospital and Commissioner of Victualling at Plymouth in July 1795, posts he occupied for some years prior to retirement.