Admiral Sir Richard Wells.

We have to record the death of Admiral Sir Richard Wells, K.C.B., which took place on Friday-night in Wilton-street, after an illness of only a few hours. Sir Richard Wells, who had been staying with his family at Folkestone, came to London on Friday to pay a visit to the Admiralty. He was then in his usual health, but at 6 o'clock he was taken ill in Wilton-street. He rallied for a time, but a relapse soon occurred and he died at 10 o'clock. He was attended in his last hours by Dr. C. Lane Sansom. Sir Richard Wells was the son of Mr. F.O. Wells, B.C.S., and was born in 1833. He entered the Navy in November, 1847, became sub-lieutenant in February, 1854, lieutenant in February, 1855, commander in December, 1863, captain in July, 1866, rear-admiral in October, 1884, vice-admiral in August, 1890, and admiral in March last. He served during the Russian war, 1854 and 1855, in the Baltic; was mate of the Arrogant; was present at the action of Eckness, in the Gulf of Finland, and at the capture of Bomarsund, 1854; was lieutenant of the Pembroke at the bombardment of Sveaborg, 1855 (Baltic medal); was in receipt of a captain's good service pension from 1881 to 1884; was Commander-in-Chief on the Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa Stations from March, 1888, to August, 1890; and was appointed Commander-In-Chief at the Nore, December 10, 1894. He was made a K.C.B. in May last, on the occasion of the Queen's birthday. Sir Richard Wells was chairman of the executive committee which had charge of the arrangements in connexion with the jubilee present offered to the Queen by the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines.

Vice-Admiral Henry F. Nicholson, C.B., Commander-in-Chief at the Nore, on receiving a telegram on Saturday morning announcing the sudden death of Sir Richard Wells, communicated the sad intelligence by signal to the officers and men of the war-vessels in Sheerness Harbour, stating that he was sure the deep sympathy which he felt would be shared by all who had had the honour of serving under the command of the deceased officer. Miss Wells, only daughter of Sir Richard and Lady Wells, was on a visit to Captain-Superintendent and Mrs. J.C. Burnell, at Dockyard-house, Sheerness Dockyard, when the news arrived, and left immediately to join her mother. Sir Richard Wells, who was held in high esteem by all classes at Sheerness, only relinquished the appointment of Commander-in-Chief at the Nore on June 10 last.