A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Thomas, Robert (a)
THOMAS. (Lieut., 1815. f-p., 11; h-p., 31.)
Robert Thomas entered the Navy, 11 Aug. 1805, as L.M., on board the Saturn 74, Capts. Lord Amelius Beauclerk and Wm. Cumberland. In that ship he continued employed, as Midshipman, off Cadiz and in the Channel and North Sea until May, 1809; from which period until promoted to his present rank, 8 Feb. 1815, he was again employed under the officer first mentioned, and the late Sir Pulteney Malcolm, in the Royal Oak 74. He took part in consequence in the attack upon Flushing, and after serving on various parts of the Home station, was ordered to the coast of North America, where he commanded a launch at the destruction of Commodore Barney’s flotilla up the Patuxent, landed in the unfortunate attack upon Baltimore, and, previously to uniting in the operations against New Orleans, assisted, as Acting-Lieutenant, in the boats of a squadron at the capture, on Lake Borgne, of five American gun-boats, under Commodore Jones, which did not surrender until the British, in the course of a severe conflict, had been occasioned a loss of 17 men killed and 77 wounded. From April to Oct. 1815 he was employed, still on the North American station, in the Dictator 64, Capt. Henry Montresor. He has since been on half-pay.