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The following obituary for George Robinson appeared in the Times newspaper.
| Obituary in the Times newspaper | |
| Date | Obituary |
| 8 January 1921 | VICE-ADMIRAL G. NORTHLAND. Vice-Admiral George Northland, retired, whose death on Thursday was briefly announced in The Times yesterday, was one of the oldest of the surviving officers of his rank in the Navy. He was born on October 18, 1830, four months after the death of George IV.He entered the Navy in 1845, and became a mate in January, 1852. In the following year he joined the Pique, 40-gun ship, and served in her in the North Pacific during the war with Russia. He was present at the attack on Petropavlovsk on August 31, 1854, and on September 4 of that year was landed in charge of small-arm men, in which action he was severely wounded and was mentioned in dispatches for his conduct. Promoted to lieutenant in February, 1855, he was reappointed to the Pique, and afterwards served in the operations connected with the second war with China in 1856-60. He was present, on May 20, 1858, at the capture of the Peiho or Taku forts, which opened the road to Pekin to the French and British forces. For this service he received the China medal and Taku clasp. Among other ships in which the late admiral served was the Revenge, 73-gun screw ship, flying the flag of the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, of which vessel he was appointed first lieutenant in 1862. He became a commander in September, 1865, and in 1867 was appointed Inspecting Officer of Coastguard at Youghal. Resuming sea service in command of the Rinaldo, seven-gun screw sloop, on the China Station, he was the central figure in a gallant episode in 1871. In consequence of the piratical depredations of certain Malays, the Administrator of the Straits Settlements requested the captain of the Rinaldo, with the colonial steamer Pluto, to proceed to Selangor. With 94 other officers and men, he proceeded inshore to search the houses, shipping. And river banks, and one party met with some resistance. On the following day, therefore — July 4, 1871 — the Rinaldo steamed into the Selangor River, and drew the fire of the forts. She replied, and, steaming on, took the batteries from the rear, quickly knocking them to pieces and dismounting their guns. In about two hours the enemy were driven from all their works, and the place was subsequently occupied by a detachment of Royal Artillery and Madras Native Infantry. The late admiral was promoted captain on May 29, 1872, and he subsequently commanded the screw corvette Turquoise. In the Pacific; the Encounter, another screw corvette. In China; the Penelope, drill-ship of the R.N.R., at Harwich. He retired from the active list in 1886, and was advanced to rear-admiral on the retired list in 1888, and vice-admiral in 1894. Vice-Admiral Northland was a prominent member of the Royal Navy Club of 1765-85, to which, during his many years' association with it, he made several handsome donations. |
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