A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Palk, Robert
PALK. (Retired Commander, 1831. f-p., 19; h-p., 32.)
Robert Palk died 12 May, 1845.
This officer entered the Navy, in Dec. 1794, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Dromedary store-ship, Capts. Rich. Hill and Jas. Harrison. On his arrival at Gibraltar, after having visited the West Indies, he removed, in May, 1795, to the Camel, another store-ship, commanded by Capt. Edw. Rotheram. Becoming Midshipman, in the following July, of the Ardent 64, Capts. Rich. Rundell Burgess and Thos. Bertie, he fought in that vessel in the action off Camperdown, 11 Oct. 1797, and, besides accompanying the expedition of 1799 to Holland, was present, 2 April, 1801, in the-attack made on the Danish line of defence before Copenhagen, After a servitude of a few weeks on board the London and St. George 98’s, flag-ships of Sir Hyde Parker and Lord Nelson, he was made Lieutenant, 23 June, 1801, into the Bellona 74, Capt. Thos. Bertie. His succeeding appointments were – 16 Nov. 1802, to the Courageux 74, Capt. John Okes Hardy, part of the force employed at the reduction of Ste. Lucie in June, 1803 – 19 Dec. 1803, 24 Sept. 1804, and 12 May, 1806, as First, to the Dolphin and Trompeuse sloops, and Lively 38, Capts. John Shortland, Wm. Brooking Dolling, and Geo. McKinley, with whom he served until March, 1807, on the Home, African and Lisbon stations – and, 1 April, 1812, to the command of the Sylvia cutter, in which vessel he cruized in the Downs and Channel; and assisted at the siege of St. Sebastian. He went on half-pay 5 Sept. 1814; and accepted the rank of Retired Coulmander 22 April, 1831.