A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Atkinson, Robert Laurie
ATKINSON. (Lieut., 1837. f-p., 17; h-p., 4.)
Robert Laurie Atkinson, born 5 Jan. 1811, at Portsmouth Dockyard, is next brother of Lieut. H. N. Atkinson, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, 4 Jan. 1826, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Philomel 10, Capts. Lord Wm. Paget, Viscount Ingestre, Hon. Wm. Keith, and Edw. Hawes, in which vessel, after serving in the Channel, he proceeded to the Mediterranean, where, on being lent to the Asia 84, bearing the flag of Sir Edw. Codrington, he took part in the battle of Navarin, 20 Oct. 1827. He then rejoined the Philomel, and during his continuance in that vessel received a very severe injury in the performance of his duty, which confined him for several weeks to his hammock. Between Jan. 1829 and 1832, in which year he passed his examination, Mr. Atkinson served, as Midshipman, on board the Raleigh 18, Capts. Geo. Haye and Wm. Dickson, Isis 50, Capt. Sir Thos. Staines, Sylvia cutter, Lient.-Commander Thos. Spark, and Vernon 50, Capt. Sir Fras. Augustus Collier. Until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 6 June, 1837, he was next employed, as Mate, on the West India and Home stations, of the Racer 16, Capt. Jas. Hope, scp 16, Capt. Fred. Wm. Lapidge, and Castor 36, Capt. Edw. Collier. The subject of this memoir, who, in the Ringdove, had been actively occupied off Bilboa during the Carlist operations of 1835-6, was subsequently appointed, on his promotion as above, to the Cornwallis 72, Capt. Sir Rich. Grant – next, in succession, to the Pearl 20, Seringapatam 42, Gannet 16, and Snake 16, all on the West India station, whence a nearly fatal attack of yellow fever compelled him to invalid, in Sept. 1838 – 10 April, 1839, and 24 Sept. 1840, to the Belleisle 72, and Calcutta 84, Capts. John Toup Nicolas and Sir Sam. Roberts, both stationed in the Mediterranean – and, 9 Nov. 1843, as First-Lieutenant, to the Volage 26, Capt. Sir Wm. Dickson, from which ship he was superseded, at his own request, 7 Dec. following. He has not since been afloat.
Having lost his first wife, 12 June, 1838, Lieut. Atkinson married, a second time, 22 April, 1843. Agents – Goode and Lawrence.