Admiral Sir Eaton Stannard TRAVERS K.H. [1538]
- Born: 1777
- Marriage (1): Lady Ann Palmer STEWARD [12310] in Apr 1815
- Died: 1858 aged 81
General Notes:
Travers, Sir Eaton Stannard Kt. K.H. (1782-1858), naval officer: Was the third son of John Travers of Hethyfield Grange, co. Cork, Ireland (where he was born) and his wife, Mehetabel, the only daughter of John Colthurst of Dripsey Castle, co. Cork. He entered the navy in September 1798 on the Juno in the North Sea, where during the following year he was on boat service along the Netherlands coast. He was similarly employed in the West Indies during 1800/01. In March 1802 he was moved to the Elephant, and in October 1803 to the Hercule, the flagship of Sir John Thomas Duckworth. In November, while Duckworth remained at Jamaica, the Hercule was attached to the squadron under Commodore Loring blockading Cap Francais. On 30 November, when the French ships agreed to surrender, Travers was with Lieutenant Nisbet Josiah Willoughby in the launch which took possession of the Clorinde after she had got on shore, and claimed to have been the chief agent in saving the ship by swimming to the shore and so making fast a hawser, by which the frigate was hauled off the rocks. In January and February 1804 he was again with Willoughby in the advance battery at the siege of Curacao, and was afterwards publicly thanked by the admiral for his bravery. On 23 September 1804 Travers was promoted lieutenant and to command the schooner Ballahou, but in February 1805, on her being ordered to Newfoundland, he was appointed to the Surveillante, in which again he saw sharp boat service on the Spanish main. In 1806 the Hercule returned to England, and in December Travers was appointed to the frigate Alcmene off the coast of France, until she was wrecked off the mouth of the Loire on 29 April 1809. He was afterwards in the Imperieuse, on the Walcheren expedition, and in 1810 in the Mediterranean, where for the next four years he was engaged in minor operations against the coasting vessels and coast batteries along the shores of France and Italy. He was repeatedly recommended by his captains and the commander-in-chief for his zeal, activity, and gallantry, but it was not until 15 June 1814 that he received the often-earned promotion to commander. He is said to have been upwards of 100 times engaged with the enemy; to have been in command at the blowing up and destruction of eight batteries and three Martello towers; and to have taken part in the capture of about sixty vessels, eighteen or twenty of them armed, and several cut out from under batteries. The Imperieuse was paid off in September 1814. In April 1815 Travers married Anne Palmer, the eldest daughter of William Steward of Great Yarmouth; they had five sons and two daughters. He remained unemployed until the summer of 1828, when he was appointed to command the Rose (18 guns). From her he was advanced to post rank on 19 November 1829, mainly, it would seem, at the desire of the duke of Clarence. The latter, who knew of his long and active war service, later, as William IV, made him a KH (4 February 1834) and knighted him on 5 March 1834. Travers had no further employment afloat; he became rear-admiral on the retired list on 9 July 1855, and died at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, on 4 March 1858. He was a brave and resourceful amphibious officer who achieved belated recognition. Ref: http://family.kiwicelts.com/16_Steward/FT_Travers.php
TRAVERS, Kt., K.H. ( Captain, 1829. f-p., 18; h-p., 31. ) Sir Eaton Stannard Travers , born in 1782, is third surviving son of the late John Travers, Esq., of Hettyfield and Grange, co. Cork, of which he was a Magistrate, by Mehetabel, only daughter of John Colthurst, Esq., of Dripsey Castle, and niece of Sir Nicholas Colthurst, Bart., of Ardrum. Four of his brothers, Major-General Sir Robt. Travers, K.C.B., Majors Jas. Conway Travers, K.H., and Joseph Gates Travers (the latter Barrack-Master at Portsmouth), and Capt. Nicholas Colthurst Travers, Barrack-Master at Parkhurst, Isle of Wight, served during a greater part of the late war in the Rifle Brigade, and were all wounded; a fifth, John Travers, died a Lieutenant of the Hebe frigate in the West Indies. He descends, remotely, from Laurentius Travers, who settled at Nateby, co.Lancaster, in 1292; and, immediately, from Brian Travers, who went over to Ireland in 1599 as Secretary to the Earl of Leicester, and was father of John Travers, Esq., of St. Barry's, co. Cork, who married a daughter, Sarah, of Spenser the poet, and had a son, Sir Robt. Travers, who became Vicar-General of Cork and Judge-Advocate-General, and was killed in 1647 in command of a division of the King's army at the battle of Knockoners, near Youghal; leaving (by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of the Primate Boyle) a son, Richard, great-great-grandfather of Sir Eaton, and two daughters, one of whom was married to Wm. Meade, Esq., of Ballintubbir, ancestor of the Earl of Clanwilliam, and the other to Sir Rich. Aldworth, Kt., Provost-Marshal of Munster, and ancestor of Viscount Doneraile. This officer entered the Navy, 15 Sept. 1798, as Midshipman, on board the Juno 32, Capt. Geo. Dundas, stationed at first in the North Sea. On 11 Aug. 1799 he served as a volunteer in the Juno 's barge in an attack made by the boats of that frigate, of the Latona 38, and of the Plyades and Espiègle sloops, on an armed schooner, which ran herself on shore; and in the course of the same day he witnessed the capture, by the Pylades , Espiègle , and 10-gun cutter Courier , of the late British gun-brig CRASH, of 12 carronades and 60 men, moored in a narrow passage between the island of Schiermonikoog and the main-land of Groningen. On the 12th he was present, again as a volunteer, on board the Undaunted schuyt, commanded by Lieut. Salusbury Pryce Humphreys, when that vessel, armed with 2 12-pounder carronades and assisted by the boats of the ships already named, drove the enemy from a 6-gun battery at Schiermonikoog, caused the self-destruction of the VENGEANCE schooner of 6 guns (two of them long 24-pounders), and took possession of a large row-boat and of 12 merchantmen. Mr. Travers was one of those, on the occasion, who, having landed, demolished the battery, spiked four of the guns, long iron 12-pounders, and brought off the remainder, brass 4-pounders. A few days afterwards he accompanied Lieut. Humphreys as a volunteer to the attack, on the coast of Holland, of a merchant-vessel, which, although protected by a battery of 6 guns, was compelled to cut her cables and run on shore, where she was completely destroyed. For the conduct he displayed in the execution of this service he was almost immediately rewarded with the rating of Master's Mate. Uniting about the same period in the operations connected with the expedition to the Texel, he assisted in landing the troops through a heavy surf, and was present at the surrender of the Holder and of the Dutch squadron under Rear-Admiral Storey. He then proceeded in an armed schuyt up the Zuyder-Zee to act against the town of Lemmer, in West Friesland; at the subsequent successful defence of which place against an overwhelming force of the enemy he landed and distinguished himself most gallantly.[1] After having, on the evacuation of the Helder, conveyed the Duke of York to North Yarmouth, the Juno was ordered to the West Indies; where Mr. Travers remained for six years, seizing with ardour every opportunity that could add to his fame, and on all occasions displaying the utmost valour and address. In Oct. 1800 he served in two of the Juno 's boats, the charge of which (upon the death of Lieut. Burn, the commanding officer, who was killed in the act of boarding) devolved upon him, at the cutting out, from Campeachy Bay, of the Spanish national vessel VOLANTE, of 12 guns and upwards, we believe, of 70 men, whose resistance inflicted on the British a loss of 1 killed and 6 wounded. During the whole period the Juno was stationed in the West Indies (more than two years) Mr. Travers never went into port, except in command of a prize. On one occasion the vessel he had charge of was captured by a Spanish privateer, whose fire, maintained with effect for five hours had so shattered her that she never reached a haven. He was in consequence sent on shore at St. Jago de Cuba, but was soon permitted to return in a cartel to Port Royal. Being removed, in March, 1802, with Capt. Dundas, at the request of the latter, to the Elephant 74, he saw much service in the boats of that ship off the different French ports in St. Domingo; and he was on board of her in a running action with the French 74 DUGUAY TROUIN, off Cape Picolet, 25 July, 1803. In the following Oct., the Elephant being ordered home, he was received, according to his own wish, on board the Hercule 74, Capt. Rich. Dalling Dunn, bearing the flag of Sir John Thos. Duckworth, the Commander-in-Chief. On 30 Nov. in the same year he was present, off Cape François, at the surrender, to a squadron under Commodore John Loring, of the three French 40-gun frigates SURVEILLANTE, CLORINDE, and VERTU (with the remains on board of General Rochambeau's army), also of four other national vessels, and of 20 sail of merchantmen; the whole of which were induced to quit the above place and submit to the British, in order to escape the vengeance of the black General Dessalines. Before, however, she had cleared the harbour, LA CLORINDE had the misfortune to ground under Fort St. Joseph, in possession of the insurgents, and in such a position that to save her was thought impossible. Had it not, indeed, been for the exertions of the present Sir Nesbit Willoughby, whose conduct will be found detailed in its proper place <https://en.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=A_Naval_Biographical_Dictionary/Willoughby,_Nesbit&action=edit&redlink=1> , the doom of all on board, in number 900, would have been inevitably sealed. On the frigate being hove off it was found necessary to get something to the rocks to cast her by, and as no boat was then near, Mr. Travers, who had been in the launch with Lieut. Willoughby, jumped overboard, and, at the imminent hazard of his life, swam on shore with a line, by which he was enabled to haul thither a rope of sufficient strength for the purpose. Uniting next in the attack upon Curaçoa, he landed on that island 31 Jan. 1804, and, in conjunction with his friend Willoughby, stormed and carried Fort Piscadero, a work mounting 10 Dutch 12-pounders, and protecting the intended point of debarkation. He then, by a rapid movement, aided in routing the enemy from all their positions on the heights near the town of St. Ann; and on the following day, as a reward for his exertions, he was allowed to assume command of one of two advanced batteries erected at about 800 yards from that place. On 5 Feb., accompanied by Lieut. Willoughby (to whom the other battery had been intrusted), also by Lieut. Nicholls, R.M., and about 80 or 85 men, he marched out to give battle to 500 Dutch soldiers and French sailors, who were seen approaching, with the apparent determination of capturing the British cannon. Notwithstanding the disparity of the force opposed to them, the latter, in fair fight, with muskets only, were completely defeated; but not until their opponents had sustained a loss of 23 men killed and wounded. Mr. Travers continued in command of his battery, exposed to the perpetual fire of Fort Republique and other superior works, and to constant attacks from the enemy's sharpshooters, until the 25th; when, all hopes of success being at an end, orders were given to re-embark.[2] On the return of the Hercule to Jamaica he had the satisfaction, for his conduct, of being publicly thanked, in presence of all the Captains at Port Royal, on the quarter-deck by Sir J. T. Duckworth; who, as soon as he had passed his examination, promoted him, 23 Sept. 1804, to the command, with the rank of Lieutenant, of the Ballahou schooner. He had been in command, 14 March preceding, of one of three boats at the capture, by Lieut. Willoughby, of the French privateer LA FÉLICITÉ; and had gained the hearty thanks of Capt. Dunn for his seaman-like intrepidity and skill during a most violent hurricane. The Ballahou being ordered to the Newfoundland station, he was removed by Sir John Duckworth, in Feb. 1805, to the Surveillante frigate, Capt. John Bligh, then about to sail on a cruize off the Spanish Main. The boats of that frigate he led on one occasion to the attack and capture of 15 deeply-laden merchantmen, lying under the protection of several batteries and of a national brig at Campeachy. He took and destroyed, a few days afterwards, nine other vessels. in the same neighbourhood; with a single boat's crew, and no assistance at hand, he boarded, in March, 1806, in open day, and carried, a large Spanish schooner, EL SERPANTON of 6 guns and 40 men, lying with springs on her cables at the mouth of the river St. Juan; and he landed next, with Capt. Bligh and the greater part of the crew of the Surveillante , on the island of St. Andreas, the forts and garrison of which were completely surprised. The troops and the Governor, General O'Donnell, being sent to Carthagena, Mr. Travers was left with a strong body of seamen and marines in charge of the island, and with the above-named SERPANTON at his disposal. While thus employed he received, one night, intelligence from a faithful sailor, who had swum on shore to give the alarm, that the crews of several vessels,[3] confined on board the SERPANTON, had risen, placed below all but 4 or 5 of the British, who were disposed to join them, and, having obtained complete possession, were in the act of making sail and putting to sea. Hastening at once to the beach, he embarked with a Master's Mate, Mr. Dunn, and such of the negroes as he had been able to collect on his way, on board a canoe, and contrived, before he was discovered, to get alongside the schooner. As he gained the deck a musket was snapped at his breast, and a blow, which he received on his up-raised arm, aimed at his head. The fellow immediately opposed to him he cut down; and the remainder, intimidated by his resolute manner into a belief that he was supported by a large party, gave way; enabling him to release those who had been confined, and, by their aid, to recover the vessel. In the summer of 1806 the Surveillante , in company with the Hercule 74, Fortunée 36, Supérieure schooner, and about 200 merchantmen, sailed for England. When off the Havana, a number of Spanish vessels were discovered under the protection of a 74-gun ship and two guarda-costas. The Fortunée , Supérieure , and a number of boats, one of them commanded by Mr. Travers, were instantly despatched in pursuit; and the result of their united efforts was the capture and destruction of the guarda-costas, and 20 others, deeply laden with sugar. In Dec. 1806, about two months after the Surveillante had been paid off, Mr. Travers was appointed to the Alcmène 32, at the particular request of her Captain, Jas. Brisbane, with whom and with Capt. Wm. Henry Brown Tremlett he continued employed until wrecked, in endeavouring to cut off a French frigate, on a reef of sunken rocks, near the mouth of the Loire, 29 April, 1809. During the period he belonged to the Alcmène he contributed, while cruizing on the coast of Ireland, to the capture of LE COURRIER French privateer and other vessels. He witnessed the destruction also of three frigates under the batteries of Sable d'Olonne 24 Feb. 1809; assisted for a considerable time in blockading two others at St. Martin's, in the Ile de Ré; and, in command of the boats, was often night and day engaged on the look-out between Ile Dieu and Cape Finisterre, where he conducted numerous successful attacks upon the enemy's coasting trade. As soon as the court-martial upon the officers and crew of the Alcmène was over, Mr. Travers was appointed, on the application of Lord Cochrane, to the Impérieuse 38; in which ship, commanded next by Capts. Thos. Garth and Hon. Henry Duncan, he sailed with the ensuing expedition to the Walcheren. On 31 July, at the desire of Lieut.-General Sir Eyre Coote, who commanded the first division of the army about to invest Flushing, he landed at the head of a detachment of seamen and, joining that officer with two field-pieces, took part in a variety of encounters with the enemy. He was subsequently (under Capt. Chas. Richardson of the Caesar 80, who commanded the brigade of seamen, and Capt. Geo. Wm. Blarney of the Harpy sloop, then before Fort Ramikins and East Zouberg) employed day and night with his men in cutting fascines, erecting batteries, and drawing heavy ordnance - the artillery-horses intended for the latter duty being found inadequate to the work, from the narrowness of the roads, the softness of the ground, and other causes. On 14 Aug., having by the greatest exertion completed a battery for 6 24-pounders under a galling fire from the enemy's ramparts, distant only 600 yards, he undertook with his own party to mount the guns, half buried though they were in the soil, during the absence of the artillerymen sent by Sir Eyre Coote, who was present, to procure triangles for the purpose of placing them on their carriages; and, so fully did he succeed, that before the latter made their appearance the guns were actually playing with quickness and precision upon the works opposed to them. His conduct in this instance particularly attracted the notice of Capt. Richardson, who had confided to him the construction of the battery, and who, we find, recommended him publicly in one of his despatches to Rear-Admiral Wm. Albany Otway.[4] In consequence of his abilities, and the information he possessed, Mr. Travers, whose gallantry and activity indeed appear to have won the admiration of every one, was selected by Sir Eyre Coote and his successor. General Sir Geo. Don, to remain with them as their Naval Aide-de-Camp; which he accordingly did until the island of Walcheren was evacuated. He then returned to the Impérieuse , as First-Lieutenant; and in the early part of 1810 he sailed for Quiberon Bay, in company with the Implacable 74, Commodore Geo. Cockburn, who had been ordered thither to co-operate with the Baron de Kolli in an attempt to liberate Ferdinand VII. of Spain from his confinement at Valençay. While on this service[5] he was almost every night, during a period of nearly two months, stationed in the boats in shore on the look-out for the signal of the Baron's return. About the same time he attacked in the most gallant manner, in a 6-oared gig, an armed merchant-vessel, lying within 20 yards of a battery, to which she was made fast, and brought her out, with the loss of only one man killed. On subsequently proceeding to the east coast of Spain he was frequently afforded an opportunity, although under circumstances of danger and difficulty, of materially benefiting the cause of the patriots. On one occasion he relieved the fort of Morbella, when nearly surrounded by French troops; and on another, availing himself of a dark wet night, he landed unobserved with two boats' crews, and, approaching a martello-tower, succeeded, by the aid of scaling-ladders prepared for the purpose, in reaching a loop-hole, about 40 feet from the ground, into which he thrust two bags of powder, with a long hose and a quick-match attached to them. By the time he had got out of the reach of splinters an explosion took place, which effected a large opening in the roof; and some of the sparks communicating to the magazine, the whole fabric was rent to its foundation. On 11 Oct. 1811 the Impérieuse attacked, and in a few minutes sank one of, three gun-vessels, carrying each 1 18-pounder and 30 men (all of whom were driven from their guns), moored under the walls of a strong fort, near the town of Possitano, in the Gulf of Salerno. It being found necessary to get possession of the fort, measures were taken for landing the marines and a party of seamen, who, led on by Lieut. Travers and Lieut. Philip Pipon of the Marines, at once forced their way into the battery in the most handsome style, obliging more than treble their numbers to fly in all directions, with the exception of about 30 men, who, with 50 stand of arms, were left behind. The guns, which were 24-pounders, were then thrown over the cliffs, the magazines, &c. destroyed, and the two remaining gun-vessels brought off. "The zeal and gallantry of all the officers and men in this affair," says Capt. Duncan in his official letter, "could not have been exceeded; but I cannot find words to express my admiration of the manner in which Lieut. Travers commanded and headed the boats' crews and landing party, setting the most noble example of intrepidity to the officers and men under him."[6] The only reward, however, which Mr. Travers' valour extracted from the Admiralty was an expression of "their Lordships' approval." With his usual courage and judgment he launched, a few days afterwards, with the boats of the Impérieuse and Thames 32 under his orders, and brought off from the beach near Palinuro, with a loss only of 1 man killed and 4 wounded, ten armed feluccas belonging to the enemy, laden with oil, although they were banked up with sand, and defended by a large detachment of Neapolitan troops. On the evening of 1 Nov. 1811 he landed at the head of the marines and seamen of the same ships, with 250 men of H.M. 62nd Regt. under Major Edw. Darley, the whole commanded by Capt. Chas. Napier of the Thames, at the back of the harbour of Palinuro; where, having discovered a short cut, he led the whole force, almost perpendicularly, up the heights, which were carried in fine style under a heavy fire from the enemy, who had assembled to oppose them, and who, soon after dark, endeavoured to regain their position, but were instantly compelled to retire. This step was taken in order to facilitate the capture of 10 gun-boats lying in the port, and of a number of merchant-vessels and valuable spars hauled on the beach, the latter intended for the equipment of the Neapolitan marine, and the whole protected by a battery and strong tower. It being ascertained, however, that nothing could be done on the land-side against these defences, an attack was made the next day by the Impérieuse and the Thames , on board of which ship Capt. Napier had returned. Two of the gunboats were sunk; the remainder surrendered; and the fort, whose fire was in 15 minutes silenced, was obliged in another quarter of an hour to haul down the Neapolitan flag. It was then taken possession of by Mr. Travers, who, on seeing the ships stand in, had "most gallantly pushed down the hill with a party of seamen and marines, and was waiting almost under the walls of the fort, ready to take advantage of any superiority the ships might have over it." The issue of the proceedings we have here narrated was the annihilation of the tower (whose guns, 24-pounders, were pitched into the sea), of two batteries, and of a signal-station on the hill; the destruction of four gun-boats; and the capture of six others, with 22 feluccas, laden with oil, cotton, &c., and 20 large spars. Sixteen of the British were either killed or wounded. In his report of the performance, Capt. Duncan thus expresses himself: "I have before had opportunities of representing the gallantry of my First-Lieutenant, Travers; his behaviour on this occasion was most exemplary, and called forth the admiration of every officer, whether of the army or navy."[7] Although the Commander-in-Chief even, Sir Edw. Pellew, upon the receipt of the despatch referred to, requested the attention of the Admiralty to the "distinguished services" of Lieut. Travers on the present and former occasions, he was again allowed to pass without reaping that promotion for which he had so long, so well, and so earnestly fought. On 27 June, 1812, he commanded the boats of the Impérieuse , in company with those of some other ships, and had 4 men killed and a Lieutenant (the present Capt. Wm. Walpole) and 10 men wounded, at the destruction of 18 merchant-vessels under the batteries of Languelia and Alassio, in the Gulf of Genoa. He participated next, while at the blockade of Naples, in a spirited skirmish which took place, 17 Aug. following, between the Impérieuse and Cephalus 18, on one side, and a Neapolitan force consisting, on the other, of the JOACHIM 74, a frigate, a corvette, and 22 gun-vessels. With a party of seamen and marines under his orders, he landed on a subsequent occasion at the mouth of the Tiber, and, after routing a body of dragoons, demolished a signal-tower, which had been the means hitherto of communicating to coasting-vessels intelligence of the proximity of the enemy, and of enabling them thereby to seek timely shelter. Landing again in the same neighbourhood he superintended the loading of two transports with timber which had been intended for the arsenal at Toulon. The Impérieuse was ultimately hove down and newly coppered at Mahon; and on the occasion Capt. Duncan obtained permission to shift her foremast further aft, for the purpose of improving her sailing. Anxious to get to sea, he went himself to the arsenal to hurry off spars and shears; but before these had arrived alongside the mast was already in its new position. Lieut. Travers had taken upon himself the responsibility of shifting it, by making a Spanish windlass of the hand-mast which was placed across the forecastle, supported by the bulwarks and four crossed handspikes, with purchases affixed to the deck and the heel of the fore-mast, and acted upon with levers. The head of the mast being steadied with guys, and a man placed at the lanyard of each shroud and stay, to ease away as it lifted, the operation was performed with the greatest facility. The fore-topmast at the time was merely struck, and none of its rigging displaced. So pleased was the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Edw. Pellew, who was in port, at the rapid and able manner in which the Impérieuse was hove down and refitted, that he not only complimented Mr. Travers verbally, but invited him frequently to his table on board the Caledonia . On resuming the blockade of Naples we find the Impérieuse , with three frigates and two 18-gun brigs under her orders, offering battle more than once, but in vain, to two of the enemy's 74's, two frigates, and a corvette. On 31 Aug. 1813 she made prize of L'AUDACIEUX French privateer of 3 guns and 40 men; and one or two merchant-vessels about the same period fell into her hands. Subsequently to this Mr. Travers suggested the practicability of obtaining possession of between 50 and 60 coral boats, recently returned from the fishery, and then performing quarantine. His wishes being acceded to, he was sent by Capt. Duncan to endeavour to carry them into execution. With oars muffled, the boats, unobserved, passed the batteries; but unfortunately, on reaching the lazaretto, it was found that the objects of the enterprise had been admitted to pratique, and had entered the harbour one hour before. Resolved, however, to accomplish something, Mr. Travers landed, overhauled several vehicles that were passing along, and took from an officer in a carriage-and-four despatches of some importance. On 5 Oct. 1813 an attack was made by the Impérieuse , Resistance 38, and Swallow, , and Pylades sloops, supported by the Edinburgh 74, upon the defences of Port d'Anzo, consisting of two batteries, mounting two heavy guns each, on a mole, a tower to the northward with one gun, and a battery to the southward with two guns, to cover the mole. "Shortly after the ships," says Capt. Hon. Geo. Heneage Lawrence Dundas, the senior officer present, "opened their fire, which they did by signal together, the storming party, under Lieut. Travers of the Impérieuse , and marines, under Capt. Mitchell, landed in the best order close under the battery to the southward, which Lieut. Travers carried instantly, the enemy flying in all directions. Lieut. Mapleton having taken possession of the mole-head, the convoy, consisting of 29 vessels, was brought out without any loss, 20 of which are laden with timber for the arsenal at Toulon. On leaving the place, all the works were blown up and most completely destroyed. Capt. Duncan informs me that he gained much material and necessary information respecting this place by a very gallant exploit performed a few nights ago by Lieut. Travers, who stormed, with a boat's crew, a martello-tower of 1 gun, destroying it, and bringing the guard away." [8] The tower referred to mounted two guns; and so great was the danger attendant upon the enterprise, that it was with considerable hesitation that Mr. Travers was allowed by Capt. Duncan to undertake it. On a descent being made, in Dec. 1813, upon the coast of Italy, near Via Reggio, he again landed, and after driving the enemy from a battery close to the beach, brought off 2 long brass 12-pounders. He obtained the thanks of Capt. Hon. G. H. L. Dundas, in the course of the same month, for his conduct on shore in the unsuccessful operations against Leghorn;[9] and in April, 1814, he was present at the reduction of Genoa and its dependencies. On 15 June, in the latter year, Lieut. Travers was at length advanced to the rank of Commander. He had then, it appears, been upwards of 100 times engaged with the enemy; had been in command at the blowing up and destruction of eight batteries and three martello-towers, and at the capture of about 60 sail of vessels (18 or 20 of them armed, and several cut out of harbours and from under batteries); and had been, as we have shown, frequently gazetted. He continued in the Impérieuse until paid off in Sept. 1814.[10]His next appointment was to the Scylla sloop; but that vessel being found defective he was removed, 23 July, 1828, to the Rose 18. In her he conveyed Commodore Chas. Marsh Schomberg to Teneriffe, Rio de Janeiro, and the Cape of Good Hope. He afterwards proceeded to the Bay of Fundy, in order to afford protection to the fishery, and to ascertain the longitude of the different headlands. On this service he was for five months employed. In the summer of 1829, being still on the North American station, he rendered assistance to one or two vessels in distress; and, by towing down with his boats and securing the pier, intended as the foundation of a lighthouse to be built as the beacon at St. John's, greatly facilitated that undertaking. On being appointed to the Rose Capt. Travers had been assured by the Lord High Admiral at his own table on board one of the royal yachts, that, as soon as he had served the one year necessary, he should receive further promotion. As H.R.H., however, went out of office before the expiration of the period, the boon was not conferred until 19 Nov. 1829. Capt. Travers then returned to England on board a Halifax packet, bringing with him a testimonial from Sir Chas. Ogle, the Commander-in-Chief, extolling highly the zeal and attention he had shown in carrying on the public service, and the state of efficacy and good order in which, without severity, he had kept his sloop. He has since been on half-pay. In an autograph letter addressed to Capt. Travers by the late King four months only before his accession to the throne, we read the following passage: "Your merits as an officer were the cause of my being interested in your promotion, and your fame in the service makes me agree with satisfaction to your request of wearing the uniform of my household." His Majesty afterwards, 4 Feb. 1834, nominated him a K.H.; and on 5 March following conferred upon him the honour of Knighthood. Sir Eaton married, in April, 1815, Ann, eldest daughter of Wm. Steward, Esq., of Great Yarmouth, co. Norfolk, by whom he has issue five sons and two daughters. Agents - Messrs. Stilwell.
1. Vide Gaz. 1799, p. 1082. 2. The total loss sustained at the advanced posts during the 25 days' operations amounted to 18 killed and 42 wounded. 3. Recently captured by Mr. Travers. 4. Vide Gaz. 1809, p. 1327. 5. The object of the expedition was so well known in Quiberon Bay, that a gallows was erected by the French at the landing-place, to hang all who might fall into their hands. 6. One Marine killed and 2 wounded was the only loss sustained by the British in the performance of this very gallant exploit. - Vide Gaz. 1812, p. 47. 7. Vide Gaz. 1812, p. 189. 8. Vide Gaz. 1814, p. 123. 9. Vide Gaz. 1814, p. 180. 10. Until this period Mr. Travers had been but once on shore since he first embarked, and then only for two months after the paying-off of the Surveillante . He was presented, on leaving the Impérieuse , with the freedom of his native city, Cork. Ref: A Naval Biographical Dictionary: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/A_Naval_Biographical_Dictionary/Travers,_Eaton_Stannard
Research Notes:
K H - Knight of the Guelphic Order of Hanover. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Guelphic_Order
Eaton married Lady Ann Palmer STEWARD [12310] [MRIN: 123], daughter of William STEWARD [12315] and Anne BROWNE [12316], in Apr 1815. (Lady Ann Palmer STEWARD [12310] was born about 1792 in Yarmouth NFK and died on 8 Aug 1864 in Alverstoke Southampton.)
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