Robert Henry Travers
Captain (retired) Robert Henry Travers, R.N. (30 July, 1859 – 20 August, 1934) was an officer in the Royal Navy.
His younger brother, Francis Eaton Travers, also served in the navy and would assist in his defence in a Court Martial.
Life & Career
Travers was specially promoted to the rank of Lieutenant for his zeal and energy in capturing six dhows in thirteen months, dated 22 December, 1881.
Travers was promoted to the rank of Commander and appointed in command of the destroyer Lynx on 31 December, 1895.[1]
Travers was appointed in command of Thrasher on 10 September 1897. On the morning of 29 September, his ship ran aground along with Lynx off Cornwall.[2][3] The grounding resulted in a Court Martial commencing on the morning of 13 October, with Travers charged with having negligently or by default stranded his ship. Thrasher had been leading the Lynx by a cable's length in a thick fog. Soundings were being taken at every quarter hour, but speed was never reduced to facilitate this operation; the last sounding was taken at twelve knots about two minuutes before the grounding and revealed sand and shell at 26 fathoms. When land was suddenly seen ahead, a signal was being hoisted to reduce speed to ten knots and Travers ordered his engines astern but could find no good place to run his ship aground, and he struck at seven or eight knots. The engine room responded with alacrity, despite having been provided no advance warning that they might have to suddenly reverse.[4] Travers was severely reprimanded as a result.
Travers was placed on the Retired List at his own request at the rank of Captain on 4 April, 1908.
See Also
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Douglas E. R. Brownrigg |
Captain of H.M.S. Lynx 7 Nov, 1895[5] – 7 Nov, 1896 |
Succeeded by Oscar V. de Satgé |
| Preceded by Lionel de L. Wells |
Captain of H.M.S. Skate 7 Nov, 1896 – 10 Sep, 1897 |
Succeeded by John G. Armstrong |
| Preceded by Oscar V. de Satgé |
Captain of H.M.S. Thrasher 10 Sep, 1897 – 17 Nov, 1897 |
Succeeded by Alexander L. Duff |
| Preceded by ? |
Captain of H.M.S. Pioneer 10 Jul, 1900[6] – 18 Aug, 1900[7] |
Succeeded by Hugh Evan-Thomas |
| Preceded by Frederick R. W. Morgan |
Captain of H.M.S. Tartar 18 Aug, 1900[8] – 28 Oct, 1901 |
Succeeded by Herbert G. Smith |
| Preceded by Frank A. Garforth |
Captain of H.M.S. Hotspur 9 Jan, 1902[9] – 4 Apr, 1904 |
Succeeded by ? |
| Preceded by ? |
Senior Officer, Berehaven 24 Sep, 1914 – Nov, 1915 |
Succeeded by Odiarne U. Coates |
Footnotes
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Saturday, 11 January, 1896. Issue 34784, col D, p. 10.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Monday, Oct 11, 1897; pg. 7; Issue 35331.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Oct 12, 1897; pg. 6; Issue 35332.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Thursday, Oct 14, 1897; pg. 4; Issue 35334.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Friday, Nov 01, 1895; pg. 7; Issue 34723.
- ↑ "The Naval Mobilization." The Times (London, England), 11 July 1900, p. 9.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1901). p. 305a.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1901). p. 305a.
- ↑ The Navy List. (May, 1903). p. 270.
