A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Bromley, Robert Howe
BROMLEY, Bart. (Vice-Admiral of the Blue, 1846. f-p., 16; h-p., 40.)
Sir Robert Howe Bromley, born 28 Nov. 1778, is only son of the late Sir Geo. Bromley, Bart., whom he succeeded in Aug. 1808, by the Hon. Esther Curzon, eldest daughter of Ashton, late Viscount Curzon, and aunt of the present Earl Howe.
This officer entered the Navy, 26 Dec. 1791, as Captain’s Servant, on board the Lapwing 28, Capt. Hon. Henry Curzon, on the Mediterranean station; joined next the Lion 64, Capt. Sir Erasmus Gower, under whom he accompanied Lord Macartney’s embassy to China; removed as Midshipman, in 1794, into the Triumph 74, lying at Spithead; afterwards served in the Channel and off the Western Islands on board the Queen Charlotte 100, flag-ship of Earl Howe, Melampus 36, Capt. Sir Rich. John Strachan, and Latona 38, Capt. Hon. Arthur Kaye Legge, from 1795 to 1797; was then appointed Acting-Lieutenant of the Acasta 40, Capt. Rich. Lane, employed in the North Sea; and, on 22 Jan. 1798, was there confirmed into the Inspector 16, Capt. Chas. Lock. Mr. Bromley was subsequently employed, on the Home and West India stations, in L’Aimable 32, Capt. Henry Raper, Pelican 18, Capt. John Thicknesse, and Doris 36, Capt. John Halliday. He was promoted to the command of the Inspector, in the North Sea, 14 Feb. 1801, and obtained his Post-commission 28 April, 1802. His succeeding appointments were – for a short time to the Squirrel 28, lying in harbour – 24 Sept. 1803, to the Champion 24, in which ship we find him constantly in collision with the enemy’s flotilla and batteries between Ostend and Havre (including one affair in which the Champion, on 23 July, 1805, suffered severely in hull, masts, and rigging, besides losing 2 men killed and 3 wounded), until at length sent to Quebec and Halifax – 10 Nov. 1806, to the Solebay 32, stationed in the North Sea – and, 31 July, 1807, to the Statira 38. After a further servitude in North America, off the coast of Spain, and in the Bay of Biscay, he was placed on half-pay in 1809, since which period he has not been afloat. His promotion to the rank of Rear-Admiral took place 10 Jan. 1837; and to that he now holds 9 Nov. 1846.
Sir Robt. Howe Bromley is Deputy-Lieutenant for the co. of Nottingham. He married, 8 June, 1812, Anne, second daughter of Daniel Wilson, Esq., of Dallam Tower, co. Westmoreland, and by that lady has issue five sons and six daughters. Of the latter, the second, Caroline, married, in July, 1840, Sir Jas. Campbell, Bart. Agents – Messrs. Halford and Co.