A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Rubidge, Robert Henry
RUBIDGE. (Retired Commander, 1845. f-p., 14; h-p., 34.)
Robert Henry Rubidge entered the Navy, 10 Dec. 1799, as A.B., on board the Hermes sloop, Capts. David Gilmour and Jas. Watson, under whom he was for two years and four months employed, part of the time as Midshipman, in escorting convoys from the Nore to Cuxhaven, Elsineur, and Leith. Joining then the Glatton 50, Capts. Nathaniel Portlock and Jas. Colnett, he made a voyage, via the Cape of Good Hope, to New South Wales, whence, in 1803, he returned to England round Cape Horn. He then joined the Utrecht 64, flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Philip Patton in the Downs; and, on 13 May, 1807, after he had been for a period of more than three years engaged in the Eurydice 24, Capts. J. Nicholas, Wm. Hoste, and Sir Wm. Bolton, in protecting the trade to various places, he was made Sub-Lieutenant into the Sharpshooter, Lieut.-Commander John Goldie. He was promoted, 2 June, 1808, to a full Lieutenancy in the Stately 64, Capts. Wm. Cumberland and Jas. Whitley Deans Dundas, flag-ship for some time of Rear-Admiral Thos. Bertie in the Baltic; and was subsequently appointed~28 March, 1810, to the Port Mahon brig, Capt. Villiers Fras. Halton, in which vessel, until he invalided in April, 1812, he was employed in the Channel, in escorting the trade to Lisbon, and in cruizing off the north coast of Spain – 3 Aug. 1812, for seven months, to the Rover sloop, Capts. Justice Finley and Fras. Erskine Loch, stationed in the Bay of Biscay – and, 4 Sept. 1813, to the Sparrow 16, also commanded by Capt. Loch, under whom he was actively employed off St. Jean de Luz and on the north coast of Spain. He went on half-pay 18 May, 1814; and accepted the rank he now holds 1 Nov. 1845.