A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Trotter, Henry Dundas

1980022A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Trotter, Henry DundasWilliam Richard O'Byrne

TROTTER. (Captain, 1835, f-p., 17; h-p., 15.)

Henry Dundas Trotter, born 19 Sept. 1802, is third son of the late Alex. Trotter, Esq., of Dreghorn, near Edinburgh, by Lillias, daughter of Sir John Stuart, Bart,, of Allanbank; and brother of the present Archibald Trotter, Esq,, of Dreghorn, a Magistrate for co, Mid-Lothian, who married Louisa Jane, youngest daughter of James Strange, Esq,, by Anne, daughter of Henry, first Viscount Melville.

This officer entered the Royal Naval College 16 Nov, 1815; and embarked 7 Feb, 1818, as a Volunteer, on board the Ister 42, Capt, Thos, Forrest, stationed at Leith, Removing in the following May, to the Eden 26, Capt, Jas. Erskine Loch, he sailed in that ship for the East Indies, and, at the close of 1819, united in an expedition sent under the present Sir Fras. Augustus Collier to act against Ras-al-Khyma, the head-quarters and principal resort of the pirates of the Persian Gulf. Continuing on the East India station, he was received in March, 1821, as Midshipman (a rating he had attained 12 months previously) on board the Leander 50, flagship of Hon. Sir Henry Blackwood, and was in Feb. 1822 transferred to the Curlew sloop, Capt. Robt. Graham Dunlop. Of the latter vessel he was nominated, in the ensuing April, Acting-Lieutenant; he went back in a similar capacity, in July of the same year, to the Leander; and on his return to England he was officially promoted by a commission bearing date 9 Jan. 1823. His next appointments were to the Hussar 46, Capt. Geo. Harris, Bellette 18, Capt. Chas. Croker, and Rattlesnake 28, Capt. John Leith, all on the West India station; where he was made Commander, 20 Feb. 1826, into the Britomart sloop. From 22 July, 1830, until June, 1834, and from 8 Sept. 1840 until the close oi 1842 he held command, on the coast of Africa, of the Curlew 10 and Albert steamer – the latter employed on an expedition up the Niger. He has since been on half-pay. He attained his present rank 16 Sept. 1835.

Capt. Trotter married, 23 Nov. 1835, Charlotte, second daughter of the late Major-General Jas. Pringle, H.E.I.C.S. Agents – Messrs. Ommanney.