Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 8.djvu/319

Rh danes were, in after-life, to be intimately connected. When the time arrived that they should choose a profession, the sea naturally presented itself, not only from the high naval reputation of their uncle, but the circumstance of their father having been captain of the Duke of Albany, East Indiaman, and on the eve of being elected an East India director when his unexpected death occurred. Besides this, their high family influence insured a rapid promotion, whether in the royal service or that of the East India Company. Robert accordingly was destined to the former, and James to the latter; and in 1780 the family separation commenced, by Robert's joining the Monarch at Portsmouth during that year. From this period we follow their respective careers.

On entering the naval service under such a commander as the future hero of Camperdown, Robert Haldane, now at the age of seventeen, was not likely to remain idle. After being a year in the Monarch, he was transferred to the Foudroyant, eighty guns, commanded by Captain Jervis, afterwards Earl St. Vincent, and was present at the memorable night engagement with the Pegase, a French ship of fully greater force than the Foudroyant. In this battle, which was hotly maintained for three-quarters of an hour, Robert Haldane served his guns with the skill and coolness of a veteran, and in pointing them in the dark he persevered in using a lantern, although he thereby served as a mark for the enemy's rifles. His gallantry on this occasion obtained the approbation of his brave commander, who sent him on board the Pegase to receive its surrender; and on writing to Duncan, he congratulated him on the conduct of his nephew, and predicted that he would become an ornament to his country. On the return of the Foudroyant to Spithead, Robert Haldane spent much of his time at Gosport; and being there attracted by the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Bogue, originally a Scottish Presbyterian, but afterwards the pastor of an Independent congregation at Gosport, Robert Haldane not only had those religious impressions revived which had been implanted by his mother, but his bias directed in favour of Independency. At this time he also witnessed the loss of the Royal George. He was looking at this noble ship through a telescope, and watching with much interest the process of its heeling, when suddenly it overset and went down with 1200 men on board, of whom only 300 were saved. This terrible event was fitted to impress his heart both as a British sailor and a Christian. The noblest vessel of our navy, with one of our best admirals, had thus disappeared in one instant, when their services were most needed. It had gone down in its own port, and amidst calm and sunshine, bearing 900 souls into eternity without note or warning. It was a knell whose echoes were heard for years after and who can sum up the numbers who are thus admonished to repent, or warned to be in readiness? He who had thus gazed upon the event, was not one by whom its solemn lessons were likely to be disregarded.

The design of relieving Gibraltar, for which an expedition was sent out in 1782, under the command of Lord Howe, summoned Robert Haldane once more into action. The garrison was relieved, and at the entrance of the British fleet into Gibraltar the Foudroyant was the leading ship. On the return from the Straits an indecisive engagement with the enemy took place, after which the fleet reached Spithead unmolested. An incident occurred on the way that showed Haldane's courage and self-devotedness in his profession. A Spanish 60 gun ship occasioned a chase among some of the British vessels, in which the fast-sailing Foudroyant was foremost, as usual, with all her canvas spread, while