A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Elliot, Robert
ELLIOT. (Rear-Admiral of the Blue, 1846. f-p., 25; h-p., 41.)
Robert Elliot, born in Oct. 1767, in Roxburghshire, is brother of Major-General Henry Elliot.
This officer entered the Navy, in July, 1781, on board the Dunkirk, Capt. Millingan, bearing the flag of Admiral Milbanke at Plymouth; and, from 1782 until the breaking out of the French revolutionary war, was employed, on the North American and Home stations, in the Diomede 44, Capt. Thos. Lennox Frederick, Thisbe, Capt. Geo. Robertson, Edgar 74, Capt. Adam Duncan, Hector 74, Capt. Sir John Collins, Edgar again, Capt. C. Thompson, Robust 74, Capt. Geo. Keith Elphinstone, Bellerophon 74, Capt. Thos. Pasley, and Diomede, Capt. Matthew Smith. On 13 July, 1793, having passed his examination in 1788, we find him promoted to a Lieutenancy in the Savage, Capt. G. Wentworth; after two years’ servitude in which sloop, on the Downs station, he became First of the Greyhound 32, Capts. Paget, Bailey, and Young. Assuming command, 26 Dec. 1796, of the Plymouth hired armed-lugger, Mr. Elliot, in March, 1797, took (and was officially reported for his great activity and successful exertions on the occasions) the privateers Epervier of 4 guns, 3 swivels, and 29 men, and L’Amitié, of 14 guns and 55 men.[1] For his eventual services in the Good Design, another hired armed-lugger, in which he had been promoted to the rank of Commander 14 Feb. 1801, Capt. Elliot obtained the Egyptian gold medal. On being next appointed, 11 April, 1804, to the Lucifer bomb, he proceeded to the Mediterranean, and, after entering the Dardanells, was particularly active off the island of Prota, where he assisted, 27 Feb. 1807, in covering the landing of the boats previously to an attack on the enemy, whose retreat he was subsequently, with the launches of the squadron under his orders, employed to intercept,[2] He afterwards hoisted the flag of Sir Alex. Ball, whom he assisted in carrying on the port-duties at Valetta, until posted, 27 June, 1808, into the Porcupine 24. During the ensuing five years Capt. Elliot was most actively employed. His last appointment was, 20 Oct. 1813, to the Surveillante 38, in which frigate he served off the north coast of Spain. He went on half-pay in March, 1814; obtained the Captain’s Good-Service Pension 19 Feb. 1842; and was admitted to the out-pension of Greenwich Hospital 15 July, 1844. His assumption of Flag-rank took place 9 Nov. 1846.
Rear-Admiral Elliot has for the last eight or ten years been perfectly blind, a misfortune partly attributable to his services in Egypt. He married Ann, daughter of Andrew Hilley, Esq., of Plymouth, by whom he has, with two daughters, one son, the present Commander R. H. Elliot, R.N. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.