Edward Miller Corrie Rutherfoord

Captain (retired) Edward Miller Corrie Rutherfoord, D.S.O. (27 December, 1879 – 10 February, 1935) was an officer in the Royal Navy. His naval career seemed to fizzle after the War ended, perhaps due to a loss of interest.

Rutherfoord's last name appears as "Rutherford" in some Navy Lists, but a quick check of a few makes me think the double o is the actual spelling.

Life & Career

Born in London, the son of a Colonial Produce Broker.

Rutherfoord was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1901.

On 18 July, 1904 he was admitted to Haslar Hospital with a spinal injury. He was not fit until June, 1905.

Rutherfoord was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 31 December, 1904.

Rutherfoord was considered "partly to blame" in a 1907 collision between Colne and his own Falcon. In 1908, he was blamed for the loss of a torpedo through a failure to abide by regulations, and in September, an unsatisfactory inspection in Falcon prompted a note that he was to be superseded, though this did not seem to occur until March, 1909. This was followed by another extended medical event which he recovered from in December 1909.

In February, 1914, the Coast Guard cutter Snipe sank and an able-bodied sailor drowned. Rutherfoord was blamed for an error in judgment in towing the cutter at an excessive speed, but commended for his prompt lifesaving efforts.

Great War

Rutherfoord was in command of the "S" Class destroyer Speedy at the start of the war, having been appointed in command on 4 March, 1914. She was lost under his command along with a drifter Lansdell to a mine on 3 September, 1914. Rutherfoord's conduct in the direct aftermath of the minings impressed the Admiralty. It was nonetheless somewhat odd that Rutherfoord was then placed in command of Mine Sweeping Trawlers on 8 September. On 4 October, he again demonstrated cool command in saving two men from the trawler Kophreda. He worked in this capacity until he was appointed in command of the destroyer Falcon on 31 October, 1914.

Rutherfoord was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1914 – his standing for promotion may have been accelerated by his bravery with Kophreda.

Rutherfoord was in command of Falcon when he was credited with sinking U 8 on 4 March, 1915 after she had been trapped in nets.

Rutherfoord was appointed to the second class protected cruiser Juno on 24 October, 1915. On 8 May 1916, a telegram reported that he had been placed in temporary command of the ship until relief arrived. This took just a short time, as he was sent back to England on 31 May.

He was appointed in command of the destroyer Talisman on 19 November, 1917.

Rutherfoord impressed the Admiralty with his judgment and prompt action in an attack on an enemy submarine on 19 September, 1918.

Post-War

Rutherfoord's command in Talisman ended on 20 March, 1919 when he was appointed in command of the destroyer Paladin.

On 31 October 1919, Rutherfoord received a muted evaluation from Captain Sparks: "Satisfactory, Average". Prior to this, his reports had always been quite positive, even rating a comment about this "inventive genius" in May 1916.

On 5 November, 1919, Rutherfoord was appointed to Hecla for a group of T.B.Ds. under a Care and Maintenance Party. From there, he was appointed temporarily in command of the flotilla leader Abdiel on 11 December, 1919.

Rutherfoord was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 24 March, 1920 shortly after receiving an unfavourable assessment from Captain (D) Grant-Dalton of the Nore Reserve Flotilla which said, "Not recommended. I have personally but little knowledge of this officer. But many [illeg] have reached me of a nature that are generally to his discredit. Rutherfoord apparently travelled to Brazil following his retirement. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Captain on 27 December, 1924.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by ?	Captain of H.M.S. Moy 20 Jun, 1905 – 28 May, 1906	Succeeded by David C. H. Dalrymple
Preceded by Hugh D. Marryat	Captain of H.M.S. Falcon 28 May, 1906 – 29 Mar, 1909	Succeeded by William H. Darwall
Preceded by Joseph A. Shuter	Captain of H.M.S. Leda 7 Jan, 1914 – 4 Mar, 1914	Succeeded by Hugh Seymour
Preceded by Hugh Seymour	Captain of H.M.S. Speedy 4 Mar, 1914 – 3 Sep, 1914	Succeeded by Vessel Lost
Preceded by Lambert N. B. Morgan	Captain of H.M.S. Falcon 31 Oct, 1914 – 4 Aug, 1915	Succeeded by Harold C. Woolcombe-Boyce
Preceded by Drury St. A. Wake	Captain of H.M.S. Juno c. 8 May, 1916 – 31 May, 1916	Succeeded by Alexander R. Palmer
Preceded by William G. Howard	Captain of H.M. T.B. 99 19 Sep, 1916 – 19 Nov, 1917	Succeeded by Arthur L. Sanders
Preceded by John I. Hallett	Captain of H.M.S. Talisman 19 Nov, 1917 – 20 Mar, 1919	Succeeded by ?