FREDERICK

See also:

• WILLIAM
• WILLIAM (1143-1214)
• WILLIAM (1227-1256)
• WILLIAM (1J33-1584)
• WILLIAM (A.S. Wilhelm, O. Norse Vilhidlmr; O. H. Ger. Willahelm, Willahalm, M. H. Ger. Willehelm, Willehalm, Mod.Ger. Wilhelm; Du. Willem; O. Fr. Villalme, Mod. Fr. Guillaume; from " will," Goth. vilja, and " helm," Goth. hilms, Old Norse hidlmr, meaning
• WILLIAM (c. 1130-C. 1190)
• WILLIAM, 13TH

WILLIAM

See also:

• FREDERICK WILLIAM BEECHEY (1796—1856)
• BEECHEY, SIR WILLIAM (1753—1839)

BEECHEY (1796—1856)  , English naval officer and geographer, son of Sir William Beechey, R.A., was born in London on the 17th of February 1796 . In 18o6 he entered the navy, and saw active service during the wars with France and America . In 1818 he served under Lieutenant (afterwards Sir) John Franklin in Buchan's Arctic expedition, of which at a later period he published a narrative; and in the following year he accompanied Lieutenant W . E . Parry in the " Hecla." In 1821 he took part in the survey of the Mediterranean coast of Africa under the direction of Captain, afterwards Admiral, William Henry Smyth . He and his brother Henry William Beechey, made ,an overland survey of this coast, and published a full account of their work in 1828 under the title of Proceedings of the Expedition to Explore the Northern Coast of Africa from Tripoly Eastward in 1821-1822 . In 1825 Beechey was appointed to command the " Blossom," which was intended to explore Bering Strait, in concert with Franklin and Parry operating from the east . He passed the strait and penetrated as far as 71° 23' 31" N., and 156° 21' 3o" W., reaching a point only 146 m. west of that reached by Franklin's expedition from the Mackenzie river . The whole voyage lasted more than three years; and in the course of it Beechey discovered several islands in the Pacific, and an excellent harbour near Cape Prince of Wales . In 1831 there appeared his Narrative of a Voyage to the Pacific and Bering's Strait to Co-operate with the Polar Expeditions, 1825—1828 . In 1835 and the following year Captain Beechey was employed on the coast survey of South America, and from 1837 to 1847 carried on the same work along the Irish coasts . He was appointed in 185o to preside over the Marine Department of the Board of Trade .

In 1854 he was made

rear-admiral, and in the following year was elected president of the Royal Geographical Society . He died on the 29th of November 1856 .