A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Bloye, Robert
BLOYE. (Rear-Admiral, 1846. f-p., 19; h-p., 35.)
Robert Bloye entered the Navy, 5 Aug. 1793, as A.B., on board the Marlborough 74, Capt. Hon. Geo. Cranfield Berkeley, under whom he participated, as Midshipman, in Lord Howe’s action of 1 June, 1794. He accompanied the same officer, as Master’s Mate, in July, 1795, into the Formidable 98, commanded afterwards by Capts. Jas. Hawkins Whitshed and Edw. Thornbrough; removed, in May, 1799, to the Téméraire 98, bearing the flags in succession of Rear-Admirals Sir John Borlase Warren and J. H. Whitshed; and, on 2 Oct. 1800, was made Lieutenant into the Spitfire sloop, Capt. Robt. Keen. His next appointments were – on 12 Sept. 1804, to the Princess of Orange 74, Capt. Thos. Rogers – and, on 11 March, 1806, to the Hibernia 110, flag-ship of Earl St. Vincent, under whom he served until promoted to the rank of Commander 4 Aug. following. Assuming command, 13 Dec. 1809, of the Lyra 10, Capt. Bloye continued to be employed in that vessel (with the exception of two months, from 30 July to 30 Sept. 1812, when he appears to have officiated as Acting-Captain of the Surveillante 38) for nearly four years, and during part of that period was highly distinguished by his zealous and gallant co-operation with the patriots on the north coast of Spain. He commanded a party at the destruction, on 24 June, 1812, of the Castle of Galea, and of the batteries of Bermeo, Plencia, Algorta, Begona, El Campillo las Queras, and Xebiles, mounting in the whole twenty-eight 18 and 24-pounders;[1] witnessed the taking of Castro, 8 July following; and, on the morning of 10 of the same month, landed with a body of marines at Puerta Galletta, knocked the trunnions off the guns in the Begona battery, and destroyed one mounted on a height.[2] Early in May, 1813, he assisted, as Senior Naval officer, with the Royalist and Sparrow brigs under his orders, at the spirited defence of Castro; and on its evacuation by the Spanish garrison, 1150 in number, he effectually rescued the latter by embarking them on board his squadron.[3] On 31 Aug., during the siege of St. Sebastian, Capt. Bloye acted a very conspicuous part by commanding one of the two divisions of boats, which, being sent to make a diversion on the back of the rook, so drew off the attention of the garrison from the defence of the breach which had been made in the walls, that the assailants were enabled to enter and obtain possession of the town.[4] As a reward for his able and indefatigable exertions in the accomplishment of these services, he was advanced to Post-rank on 23 Dec. in the same year. He afterwards acquired the command, 18 June, 1814, of the Eurotas 38, and, in April, 1815, of the Tay 24. Capt. Bloye, the whole of whose career afloat was passed upon what is termed the Home station, and who had been on half-pay since Feb. 1816, accepted his present rank 1 Oct. 1846.
He was nominated a C.B. 4 June, 1815.