Royal Naval Biography/Aitchison, Robert
ROBERT AITCHISON, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1827.]
Son of William Aitchison, of Drummore, Cast Lothian, Esq.
This officer entered the royal navy, in 1809, as midshipman on board the Lively 38, Captain (now Rear-Admiral) George M‘Kinley, and continued in that ship until she was wrecked near Point Coura, Malta, Aug. 10th, 1810. He next joined l’Unité frigate, Captain (now Rear-Admiral) Patrick Campbell; with whom he was removed into the Leviathan 74, off Toulon. We afterwards find him serving under Captain (now Sir David) Milne, in the Impetueux, Dublin, Venerable, and Bulwark, two-deckers; and subsequently in the Tonnant 80, bearing the flag of Sir Alexander Cochrane, on the North American station. During the expedition against New Orleans, he received an order to act as lieutenant of the Vengeur 74, Captain (now Sir Robert T.) Ricketts; and this appointment appears to have been confirmed by the Admiralty, May 6th, 1815. After remaining on half-pay for nine months, he was appointed, May 1st, 1816, to the Leander 60, Captain Edward Chetham, C.B., in which ship he bore a part at the memorable battle of Algiers, and subsequently accompanied Sir David Milne, as his flag-lieutenant, to the Halifax station, where he continued during the whole period of that officer’s command. His commission as commander bears date July 17th, 1819; and his promotion to the rank of captain took place April 30th, 1827, at which period he was serving in the Clio sloop, on the North Sea station.
Captain Aitchison married, Dec. 18th, 1821, Eliza, daughter of the late Matthew Munro, of the island of Grenada, Esq.
Agents.– Messrs. Cooke, Halford, & Son.