A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Hay, Robert Sinclair

1744197A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Hay, Robert SinclairWilliam Richard O'Byrne

HAY. (Commander, 1827. f-p., 23; h-p., 12.)

Robert Sinclair Hay is second son of Robt. Hay, Esq., of Charterfield, East Lothian, N.B. This officer entered the Navy, 1 Sept. 1812, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Pique 36, Capt. Hon. Anth. Maitland, and sailed for the West Indies, where, we believe, he attained the rating of Midshipman 20 Dec. 1813, and served until Aug. 1815. From 1816 until 1818 we next find him employed, in the Mediterranean, on board the Satellite 16, Capt. Jas. Murray, and Glasgow 50, Capt. Hon. Anth. Maitland. In May, 1820, he became Master’s Mate of the Rochfort 74, flag-ship on the same station of Sir Graham Moore. He was promoted, 4 Oct. 1823, to a Lieutenancy in the Cambrian 48, Capt. Gawen Wm. Hamilton, and he subsequently, in the course of the same month, and on 6 Sept. 1825, joined the Rose 18, Capt. Henry Dundas, and Talbot 28, Capt, Hon. Fred. Spencer. Being Senior of the last-mentioned ship at the battle of Navarin, where he was slightly wounded,[1] Mr. Hay was advanced to the rank of Commander, by commission dated 22 Oct. 1827. He afterwards, from 28 March, 1832, until 1835, and again from 24 June, 1836, until 1839, officiated as an Inspecting Commander in the Coast Guard; in which capacity he has been re-employed since 29 Dec. 1841.

Commander Hay married, in Jan. 1831, Jane, eldest daughter of Andw. Knox, Esq., of Prehen, co. Derry.


  1. Vide Gaz. 1827, p. 2323.