A GREAT SAILOR.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18152, 15 August 1924, Page 9

A GREAT SAILOR.

ADMIRAL SIR JOHN DE ROBECK. DESCENDED FROM THE VIKINGS Although iio official statement has been made, thero seems a strong probability of Admiral Sir John do Robeclc being the Dominion's next GovornorGeneral, in succession to \ iseount Jellice?. In any case the career of this eminent British sailor is worth more than passing notice. Admiral de Robeck is the second eon of the fourth Baron do Robeex, of Gowran Grange, Naas, Ireland; hia brother, Henry Edward 'William, is tho fifth barcn. His name and origin are Scandinavian, a fact that coincides with the frequent occurrence of continental patronymics in Britain s list of honoured public servants. Ho is descended from the Baron 6 de Robeck in tho kingdom of Sweden. _lt was the second baron, born in 1765, who, having served success!ully in tho Swedish and French armies, was naturalised in England by Act of Parliament under George 111. iSinco thou the family h ibved"in Ireland, and so constantly in-ter-married with Irish families that at present its mombers bear little trace ot their Scandinavian origin. There _is> nothing foreign about tho Admiral but his name.

He early entered tho Royal Navy. Born on June 10th, 1862, ho became a cadet at 13 years of age, receiving his naval education on 11.M.5. Britannia. Ten years later he gained his lieutenancy. In 1897 ho was made commander, and in 1902 captain. Ho became Rear-Admiral in 1911.

The war brought hira opportunity for very responsible service, and ho. earned high distinction.

The Dardanelles Campaign. After a brief period in command of the North Atlantic Fleet at the outbreak of war, he was sent as second-in-command to the Mediterranean, to assist in tho Dardanelles campaign, under Vice-Admiral S. H. Carden. In March of lDlo illness brought about the retirement of liia chief, and 1m succeeded to tho command of the Allied ileet. It was then, when tens of thousands of anxious eyes were turning to this theatre of war, that ho came into prominent notice. Already ho was well esteemed in tho service, but sorno astonishment and a great deal of enquiry were aroused by the succession of a man of a namo so isuggestivo of foreign origin. Very soon, however, he established himself unshaltablv in the confidence of the British public; and when, the war won, the German Fleet was convoyed to ignominious surrender from its hidingplace to Scapa Flow, no on© needed to bo told why Vice-; Admiral de Robeek commanded the second battlo squadror. on the northern line! of tho escort, next to Sir David Beatty in flagship. In the Gallipoli campaign ho made a reputation novcr to be effaced. In the attempt to force the Narrows by sea power alone, ho essayed a task distinguished by intrepid courage. It was a naval adaptation of the charge of tho Light Brigade, splendid though foredoomed, redeemed indeed by its daring from all peril of peevish criticism.

Great Naval Service. j There followed the combined attack of Army and Navy upon tho Peninsula. The main features of the bombardments and tho landings are readily recalled. In this exacting exploit the flno qualities of the new commander, promotod to Vice-Admiral on his succession, were impressively evident. As "The Times History of the War" expresses the part played by the fleet: "Apart from the measures taken to counteract tho activity of tho submarine, the British Navy supplied the requisite support upon which the whole of the operations on sea and land depended; with tho.assistance of the fleets of the Allies tho lines of communication with the various centres, of military activity in the Mediterranean were kept open, and tho reinforcement of the armies by men, stores, aud every provision for their continued . effectiveness wa« maintained."

As the head of that achievement, Admiral de Robeclt exercised inspiring leadership. Sir lan Hamilton, who was in command of the military forces, paid a warm tribute to. him and the Allied fleet. Throughout the operations, he said in his despatches, "the BoyalNavy has been father and mother to the Amy; not one of us but realises how much he owes to Vice-Admiral de Bobeck; to tho warships, French and British; to the destroyers, minesweepers, picket boats, and to all thcix dauntless crews, who took no thought of themselves, but risked everything to give their soldier comrades a fair run in at the enemy."

Wise and Bravo LeadorsMp. Testimonies of that sort have multiplied since the war. In October last, to quote but one, there appeared in "The Times" a letter from KearAdmiral A. P. Davidson, a letter in which Admiral de Kobeek's qualities of wise and bravq leadership were given warm praise. "Mines and yet more Danes," this participant wrote of the Narrows project and its abandonment, "were the obstacle to success, as well as limited ammunition, and therefore tho cold logic of facts was arrayed against the universal spirit and desire of the Navy at the Dardanelles to force the Straits at all costs. Modern battleships might have barged through minefields, though there were no paravanes in 1915, but not so the old ones, and it was this knowledge by Admiral de Bobeck, whose fighting instinct was second to none, and who6e leadership was the admiration of all his captains, of whom I happened to be one, that mado him change his plans rather than pursue a gamble with the dice heavily loaded against him; and I believe that, could ho have assumed it waa practicable to get through the Narrows with a fraction of his force he would have done so." When the war closed and the nation's gratitude was given official expression, Admiral de Hobeck was made a baronet and given a money grant.

Charming Personality. The reputation that Admiral de Robecfe has established is that of a man of remarkable personal bravery and equally remarkable gentleness toward the weak and defenceless. He is described as tall and dark, with sparkling Irish eyes, and a 'gentle voice in which one can almost S?d tho trac<s of a brogue. Add to irach an Irish character the traits of If great {sportsman, a famous cricketer, and an intrepid rider to hounds, and you have a combination compelling admiration, a winning personality with an appeal impossible to resist. Yet for all his merriment and geniality, this leader of men has proved himself greatly gifted to carry serious responsibilities. In naval affairs he has had some special interests. He has done valuable work as a record-making commander of destroyers, as head of the patrol service in the North w>, and about Britain's shores generally. It is a matter of Admiralty history that he foresaw more clearly than many of his colleagues the new develop(CoDtiaued at foot of nicxt column.)