A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Stephens, Robert Lee
STEPHENS. (Lieutenant, 1826.)
Robert Lee Stephens entered the Navy 12 Dec. 1812; and passed his examination in 1819. While serving with Capt. Thos. Bennett in the Cygnet 10, he had the good fortune, 10 July, 1822, with two boats belonging to that vessel, to save all but 4 of the crew of the Sarah free-trader of 900 tons, which was in the act of foundering during a furious north-wester in Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope. “I trust, Sir,” says Mr. James Norton, late commander of the Sarah, in a letter addressed to Capt. Bennett, “that you will permit me the gratification of impressing on your attention the admirable manner in which Mr. Stephens, the officer appointed by you to the dangerous duty, fulfilled your intentions and orders, at the risk of his own life and those of your boats’ crews. His humanity, presence of mind, and cool courage, were the cause of preservation to the many lives that were saved – those qualities were equally and eminently conspicuous during a scene the most appalling and afflicting that can be imagined.” Mr. Stephens was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant 30 March, 1826. He has been in charge, since 7 June, 1831, of a station in the Coast Guard. He married, in Feb. 1830, Miss Ede, of Millbrook.