A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Loney, Robert
LONEY. (Commander, 1837. f-p., 24; h-p., 26.)
Robert Loney entered the Navy, in Sept. 1797, as a Boy, on board the Atlas 98, Capts. Matthew Squire and Theophilus Jones, with whom he served in the Channel until March, 1801. In March, 1803, he became Fst.-cl. Vol. of the Salvador del Mundo, bearing the flags of Admirals Sir John Colpoys and Wm. Young at Plymouth, where he continued to officiate as Midshipman, until transferred, in Feb. 1806, to L’Aigle 36, Capt. Geo. Wolfe. In March, 1808, we find him participating in a very gallant engagement fought by L’Aigle with two French frigates and the enemy’s batteries at Ile de Groix, where, besides having 3 of her guns split and dismounted, a bower-anchor cut in two, and her mainmast and bowsprit irreparably injured, the former ship had 22 of her people more or less severely wounded. One of her antagonists was compelled to take refuge under a fort, and the other to run on shore on Pointe des Chats. In April, 1809, immediately prior to the destruction of the shipping in Aix Roads, Mr. Loney served in the boats under Lieut. Rich. Devonshire at the destruction of the works on the Boyart Rock, a hazardous achievement which elicited the thanks of Lord Gambier; and he subsequently, on becoming attached to the Walcheren armament, assisted in forcing the passage between Flushing and Cadsand; on which occasion L’Aigle, in consequence of a shell bursting in her after gun-room, sustained a loss of 5 men wounded and had her stern-frame greatly damaged. After a servitude of three months in the West Indies on board the Pert sloop, Capt. Wm. Hall, Mr. Loney, in Aug. 1810, rejoined the Salvador del Mundo, bearing the flag of Sir Robt. Calder at Plymouth, where he remained a few weeks, and had command during the period of the Admiral’s tender. Joining, then, the Scipion 74, he served as Second-Master of that ship, under the flag of Hon. Robt. Stopford, at the reduction of Java in Sept. 1811; immediately after which event he was nominated Acting-Lieutenant of the Madagascar frigate, Capt. Chas. Sullivan. He was confirmed a Lieutenant 8 May, 1812; and on 16 of the ensuing Oct. was appointed to the Reindeer 18, Capt. Wm. Manners, with whom he cruized until compelled from ill health to invalid 21 June, 1814. His subsequent appointments were to the command – 16 Dec. 1825, of the Nimble Revenue-cutter – 12 Aug. 1829 (four months after he had left the latter vessel), of the Vigilant ketch, on the Plymouth station, where we find him employed until paid off 21 Nov. 1831 – and 1 Nov. 1832, of the Savage 10, which vessel was put out of commission 23 July, 1836. For his services in the Savage off Oporto during the civil war in Portugal, and the protection he afforded to British interests during the revolution in Venezuela, Lieut. Loney was rewarded with the rank of Commander 10 Jan. 1837. He has since been on half-pay.