A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Oliver, Robert
OLIVER, Kt. (Capt., 1834. f-p., 23; h-p., 24.)
Sir Robert Oliver is uncle of Lieut. Geo. Cleaveland, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, 23 May, 1800, on board the Formidable 98, commanded by the late Sir Edw. Thornbrough, with whom he continued for eight years employed as Midshipman and Master’s Mate in the Maes 74, Galykheid 64, Ruby 64, Eagle and Kent 74’s, and Royal Sovereign 100, on the Home and Mediterranean stations, where, during the remainder of the war, he served (his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant took place 22 Feb. 1810) in the Ocean 98, flag-ship of Lord Collingwood, Espoir sloop, Capt. Robt. Mitford, Menelaus 38, Capt. Sir Peter Parker, Banterer sloop, Capt. Chas. Warde, and Glasgow 50, Capt. Hon. Henry Duncan. On 4 April, 1810, he commanded the boats of the Espoir, in unison with those of the Success 32, under Lieut. Geo. Rose Sartorius, and was particularly mentioned for his conduct at the destruction, under a heavy fire of great guns and musketry, of several vessels on the beach near Castiglione, on the coast of Calabria.[1] He assisted soon afterwards at the destruction of an armed ship and three barks under the castle of Terracina. His appointments after he left the Glasgow were – 4 March, 1823, to the Isis 50, Capt. Gordon Thos. Falcon, lying at Chatham – 23 June following and 21 Aug. 1825, to the Spartiate 76 and Wellesley 74, flag-ships of Sir Geo. Eyre in South America – and, 30 April, 1827, to the Victory 104, Capt. Hon. Geo. Elliot, lying at Portsmouth. Obtaining a second promotal commission 29 Oct. 1827, he was successively invested with the command – 30 May, 1831, of the Asia 84, flag-ship off Lisbon of Rear-Admiral Wm. Parker – and, 9 June, 1832, and 6 Nov. 1833, of the Dee and Phoenix steamers. The Dee served with the North Sea squadron during the blockade of the Dutch ports, and afterwards conveyed Vice-Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcolm to Lisbon. The Phoenix attended Queen Adelaide to Rotterdam in the summer of 1834. On 28 Aug. in the latter year Capt. Oliver was advanced to Post-rank; and since 1837 he has been in discharge of the duties attached to the office of Superintendent of the Indian Navy. The honour of Knighthood was conferred on him 20 April, 1843, as a reward for services he had rendered during the war in China. Agents – Messrs. Ommanney.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1810, p. 1138.