COLLINSON, Sir Richard, naval officer, born in Gateshead, Durham, England, 7 November, 1811. He entered the navy in 1823, an(t, after three years' service on the Pacific station, was assigned to the " Chanticleer," which was employed in making observations on the shores and islands of the Atlantic ocean. Being promoted a lieutenant in 1835, he joined the "Sulphur," and was employed in the examination of the coasts of Central America and Mexico, visiting California, Vancouver's island, Sitka, and fixing the position of Mount St. Elias. Subsequently he took part in the Chinese war, and was promoted captain and C. born in 1842. In 1850 Capt. Collinson took command of an expedition to Bering strait, to continue the search for Sir John Franklin. After passing three winters in the ice, and ascertaining the fact that the northern coast of North America was navigable by a sailing vessel from Bering strait to King William's land, he returned to England, and received the medal of the Geographical society. After service on the Defence commission and the lakes in Canada, he was promoted to flag-officer in 1862, and made a K. C. born in 1875. He is the author of " Nine Weeks in Canada" (Cambridge, 1862), and " The Three Voyages of Martin Frobisher in Search of a Passage to Cathaia and India by the Northwest, A. died 1576-'8" (London, 1867).