Capt Henry Holland TORLESSE R N [1763]

   Another name for Henry was Harry.

  General Notes:

BIRTHS.
On July 17, at Rangiora Wood, the wife of Henry Torlesse, Esq., of a son.
Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 597, 24 July 1858, Page 4

Torlesse Henry Holland
April 1867-1870
Christ's College School List 1850 - 1965

Henry had a distinguished Naval career,
When the Henry Torlesse's lived at Governor's Bay, and Henry's illness was becoming grave, his eldest boy HARRY (Henry Holland) had to take his share in the difficulties of their life. He acted as messenger, constantly riding over the hills to Christ-church to fetch medicine, etc. He was then nine. When they went to Rangiora, Harry went to Christ's College, on the favourable terms granted to the sons of clergy. The Rev. C. Harris was then headmaster, and proved indeed a good friend to the boy, doing all he could to get him on. Shortly before his father's death he arranged that Harry should enter the Navy, and he left New Zealand early in 1871, under charge of a Captain S., to whom his mother paid, £10 to coach him on the voyage. He arrived in England in April. John Bridges and I went to meet him at the docks. Captain S. had entirely failed in his trust, and it seemed very doubtful if the boy could be prepared for the examination in the following July. However, a good coach at Greenwich effected this, and he entered the Navy as a cadet in 1871, joining his cousin Arthur Ward Torlesse on the "Britannia." From this time both boys had their home at Stoke, and if they added to the anxieties of their grand-parents and aunts, they also added so largely to the interests and joys of their lives, as to far outweigh the troubles.
The following is an extract from the obituary notice in The Times :-
"Captain Torlesse entered the Navy as a cadet in 1871, becoming a sub-lieutenant in 1878, lieutenant in 1882, commander in 1896, and captain in 1902. He served in the `Minotaur' during the Egyptian War, I882, and was awarded the Egyptian Medal and the Khedive's Bronze Star. When commander (N.) of the 'St. George,' flagship of Rear-Admiral H. H. Rawson, CB., he was present on the occasion of the bombardment and capture of the Sultan of Zanzibar's Palace, on August 27th, 1896, by Rear-Admiral Rawson's squadron, and served in the expedition landed from the squadron to punish the King of Benin for the massacre of the political expedition in the previous year. For these services he was mentioned in despatchs and received the General Africa Medal with Benin clasp. He was Captain of the `Inflexible,' battle cruiser, when Admiral of the Fleet Sir Edward Seymour hoisted his flag in her to proceed to New York for the Hudson-Fulton celebrations in 1909, after which he was appointed as Captain-Superintendent of Sheerness Dockyard, which post he resigned recently owing to ill-health. While holding this post he was decorated with the Second-Class of the Order of the Red Eagle on the occasion of the visit of the German Emperor in May last. In December, 1888, he married Nina Alice, youngest daughter of Daniel Foley. Roberts, who was for thirty years chairman of the Legislative Council of the Parliament of Queensland. There is ten years difference between the ages of their two daughters, May and Dorothy.
Ref page 158 Byegone Days by Frances Torlesse.

Naval Promotions.
Sub Lieutenant - Henry H. Torlesse to the Minotaur
Ref: Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle 1 April 1882.

EXPRESS PASSENGER LIST. Passengers from Dunedin today to Christchurch : . . . . . H. Torlesse, Mrs Torlesse . . . . . For Timaru: . . . . .
Placement of this article is very uncertain 2010
Star , Issue 6107, 10 December 1887, Page 3

Marriages
Torlesse-Roberts. On the 6th December, at St John's Pro-Cathedral, Brisbane, Queensland. Lieutenant Henry Holland Torlesse, R.N., HMS Rapid, to Nina Alice Roberts, youngest daughter of the Hon., D. F. Roberts, M.L.C., Queensland.
Ref: Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle 9 February 1889.

RANGIORA RIFLES.
Yesterday morning the above company, with their band, paraded, to the number of thirty five, under the command of Lieutenants Heltnore and Torlesse, and attended divine service at the Church of England. The Rev W. E. Gillarn, Honorary Chaplain of the corps, preached.
Star , Issue 6826, 14 April 1890, Page 4
It is completely uncertain that this is Henry 2010

The Naval Court Martial.
Capt F. Powell and Lieutenant H. H. Torlesse of the Naiad, were put on trial on a charge of having by negligence or by default stranded and hazarded the ship. The Naiad was on August 11 following the Forth, and she struck on the north east corner of the Skellig, but came off in deep water, and was towed by the Forth. At the close of the case for the prosecution the Court adjourned.
Ref: Daily News 3 September 1892

Court Martials at Plymouth.
The Stranding of the Naiad.
After an adjournment for luncheon the Court re-assembled to try Capt Francis Powell and Lieutenant Henry Holland Torlesse on charges of negligently stranding and hazarding HMS Naiad, on the 10th of August.
Vice Admiral Henry Fairfax was the presiding officer, and the Court was composed as at the last inquiry, the only alterations being that Capt H. L. Pearson, A. D. C., sat in the place of Capt T. F. Hammill, C.B., of the Royal Sovereign.
The report of the accident was read by the Deputy Judge Advocate, and stated that at seven o'clock on the morning of the 11th ult, the Naiad was proceeding behind the Forth, in single line, at 2:45 a.m., when a thick fog came on, and a signal was sent from the Forth warning them to watch her closely in the event of her suddenly hauling out from the line. At 7:20 they lost sight of the Forth, and at 7:25 a gun was fired right ahead. A few moments later a rock was seen on the starboard side, and the ship struck on the north east corner of the Great Skellig. She came off at once into deep water, and was taken in tow by the Forth. The injuries to the Naiad were a disabled rudder and the starboard screw broken. The three after compartments filled with water.
Lieutenant Maurice FitzMaurice, of the Naiad, said he was on watch on the afternoon of the 10th August. Land was in sight the greater part of his watch, but was too far off to take soundings. Eagle Island was not in sight. He made no notation at the end of his watch. The weather was fine, but hazy. The speed of the ship was taken by the hand log and "the Cherub". The Navigating Officer took no bearings during the afternoon to his knowledge, nor was the course altered during his watch. That Capt came on deck at 2:45, and remained there until after witness had left. They were steering for station at stern of Forth while she was in sight. The Capt was constantly on deck taking soundings, and in the night-watches taken by witness the Capt was on deck the greater part of the time.
Cross examined by Lieutenant Torlesse, witness said that he (Mr Torlesse) was constantly on deck, and took soundings when ever they could be made.
Lieutenant John Dennis Hickley, of the Naiad, said he took the morning watch on the 11th. The weather was hazy and clear at intervals. The soundings were taken at 5:20 and "no bottom" reported. There was another sounding at 6:55 and at a depth of 54 fathoms bottom was obtained. A third cast was made at 7:15 and bottom again obtained at a depth of 48 fathoms. The log was reported at each hour. The Captain ordered the depth of water to be signalled to the Forth on several occasions. The Forth signalled in the morning "watch closely the leader", and from this and the nature of the soundings, witness was in some anxiety as to the safety of the ship. The Navigating Officer also said he wished they had not changed the course so soon. He corroborated the last witness's evidence as to the strict attention paid to duty by the Capt and the Navigating Lieutenant.
Lieutenant John C. Watson, of the Naiad, said he relieved the last witness on the 11th. Soundings were taken during his watch, but were not reported to him. The Skelligs were sighted at 7;35 and the Captain immediately gave the order " helm hard-a-starboard and port engines full speed astern". The ship immediately slid off into deep water.
This concluded the case for the prosecution, and the Court was adjourned until this morning to enable prisoners to prepare their defence.
Ref: Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle 3 September 1892.

The Naiad Court Martial.
The court martial on Capt Powell and Lieutenant Torlesse, charged with hazarding HMS Naiad on the 11th August, concluded at Portsmouth this afternoon. Capt Powell was found guilty of error of judgement, and sentenced to be admonished. Lieutenant Torlesse was acquitted.
Ref: Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth And Cornish Advertiser 3 September 1892.

The Stranding of the Naiad
The court martial respecting the stranding of the Naiad was concluded at Portsmouth on Saturday. The court found that the charge against Capt Francis Powell was partly proved, in as much as he committed an error of judgement in not taking further steps to notify to his senior officer his opinion that he was standing into danger. They found the charge against Lt Torlesse not proved, and acquitted him.
Leeds Times Saturday, 10 September 1892.

H W Lieut Torlesse Departured 3 Dec 1892 from Plymouth, England to Sydney, Australia on the ship Austral Search Ship Master: F M Tuke
Ref: Ancestry

THE VOLUNTEERS.
A pleasant gathering took place in the orderly-room of the Royal Naval Artillery when the members met to say goodbye to Lieutenant Torlesse who, on account of his transfer from Lyttleton has been compelled to resign his commission in the company. Lieutenant-Commander Joyce occupied the chair, and besides a large gathering of members of the Navals, there were representatives present from the E and N Batteries, Permanent Artillery and H.M.S. Ringdove. After the usual toasts had been disposed of, the Chairman, on behalf of the members of the company, presented Mr Torlesse with a smoker's companion, suitably inscribed. Lieutenant Joyce referred to the keen interest Mr Torlesse had always taken in volunteering. Mr Torlesse suitably responded. Other toasts and a number of songs followed.
Star , Issue 6166, 21 April 1899, Page 3
Placement of this article against Henry is uncertain, it may be his brother Charles? 2010

SHIPPING TELEGRAMS.
WELLINGTON,. May 25. Arrived Mokoia, from Sydney. Passengers for Lyttelton; . . . . . Captain Torlesse, . . . . .
Star , Issue 6494, 25 May 1899, Page 3
Placement of this article is uncertain 2010

PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.
(From Our London Correspondent.)
LONDON, September 17.
Commander Henry H. Torlesse has been appointed to the Duke of Wellington for service in Fleet Reserve.
Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7346, 2 November 1901, Page 3

Capt H H Torlesse sailed 9 Feb 1905 from Liverpool, England to Halifax, on the ship Parisian, Allan Line, Master, A H Vipond.
Ref: Ancestry.

Captain H H Torlesse has succeeded Rear Adml R H Johnson Steward as Superintendent of Sheerness Dockyard.
Cambridge Independent Press Friday, 17 December 1909.

OBITUARY.
Per Press Association - Copyright. (Received December 29, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 28. Captain Torlesse, superintendent at Sheerness, is dead. He was the son of the late Rev. Mr Torlesse, of Christchurch
Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXII, Issue 8261, 29 December 1911, Page 5

PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.
[From Our Special Correspondent.]
December 29
The death occurred last Tuesday, December 26, at Southsea, of Captain Henry Holland Torlesse, R.N., elder son of the late Rev. Henry Torlesse, of Christchurch, New Zealand. Captain Torlesse, who was in his fifty-fourth year, had been in delicate health for some considerable time, and about a month ago he was compelled to resign his post as Captain-superintendent of Sheerness Dockyard, which he had held for a little over a year. Captain Torlesse entered the Navy as a cadet in 1871, becoming sub-lieutenant in 1878, lieutenant in 1882, commander in 1896, and captain in 1902. He served in the Minotaur during the Egyptian War, 1882, and was awarded the Egyptian Medal and the Khedive's Bronze Star. When commander of the St. George, flagship of Rear-admiral H. H. Rawson, C.B., he was present on the occasion of the bombardment and capture of the Sultan of Zanzibar's Palace in August, 1896, by Admiral Rawson's squadron, and served in the expedition landed from the squadron to punish the King of Benin for the massacre of the political expedition in the following year. For these services he was mentioned in despatches and received the General Africa Medal with Benin clasp. He was captain of the Inflexible, battle cruiser, when Admiral of the Fleet Sir Edward Seymour hoisted his flag in her to proceed to New York for the Hudson-Fulton celebrations in 1909, after which he was appointed as Captain-superintendent of Sheerness Dockyard. While holding this post he was decorated with the Second Class of the Order of the Red Eagle on the occasion of the visit of the German Emperor in May last. Captain Torlesse, who left a widow and two daughters, was buried in Haslar Cemetery on Thursday with full naval honors. The funeral party consisted of 115 petty officers and men from the Excellent as escort and firing party, and leading the procession was the band of the Britannia battleship. The gun carriage with the coffin was drawn by 17 petty officers of the Royal Naval Barracks, the pall-bearers being Captain W. B. Fawckner, Captain of Portsmouth Dockyard, Captains Gaunt, of the Superb, Bridson of the Terrible, Keyes of the Arrogant, Webb of the Sappho, Morgan of the Liverpool, Grant of the Dryad, and Booty of the Ariadne, with eight petty officers of the Vernon as bearers. The ceremony was also attended by 280 officers and men from the ships in the harbor, and by officers and representatives from the various units in the port and garrison.
Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 353, 13 February 1912, Page 7

Torlesse Henry Holland of 29 St Ronan's Road Southsea Hampshire died 26 December 1911. Probate London 18 January 1912 to Nina Alice Torlesse widow. Effects £810 10s 10d. Re-sworn £913 14s 6d.
National Probate Calendar.

  Research Notes:

His daughter Dorothy puts Henry's death day as 25 Dec 1911

Henry married Nina Alice ROBERTS [1764] [MRIN: 578], daughter of Daniel Foley ROBERTS [2030] and Unknown, on 6 Dec 1888 in St John Cathedral Brisbane. (Nina Alice ROBERTS [1764] was born on 14 Mar 1866 in Brisbane Queensland Aust. and died on 22 Oct 1915 in Farnham SRY.)