Adam Ferguson
Commander (retired) Adam Ferguson (21 February, 1891 – 6 June, 1949) served in the Royal Navy.
Life & Career
Ferguson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 April, 1914.
Ferguson was appointed in command of Amazon of the Dover Patrol on 20 July, 1917. When he and other Tribals sallied forth to respond to the German destroyer attack on the Patrol's drifters and trawlers on 14/15 February, 1918, he passed by a group of what turned out to be German T.B.Ds.. He issued a challenge and repeated it twice without receiving any response. In light of this, he took it upon himself to simply assume these were German destroyers and an opportunity to avenge the losses the enemy had inflicted on the small craft that night was lost.
His passivity in the action resulted in a trial by Court Martial on 6 March 1918 for his failure to act against the three T.B.Ds and for "neglect of duty in omitting to use the VBS Signal in accordance with instructions contained in Keymemo No. 8A - C.B. 01366". Both charges were proved and Ferguson was severely reprimanded. Vice-Admiral, Dover Patrol Keyes replied that he found this sentence too lenient. Ferguson was replaced in command of his destroyer and sent to Arrogant temporarily, additional.[1]
Ferguson was in Vindictive during the Zeebrugge Raid and was considered for the Victoria Cross in the aftermath, though he was not one of those selected to receive the award.
Ferguson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 30 April, 1922.
Ferguson was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 7 January, 1924.
Ferguson was promoted to the rank of Commander on 21 February, 1931.
World War II
A variety of appointments. Reverted to Retired List on 5 March, 1946.
See Also
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by New Command |
Captain of H.M.S. P33 15 Nov, 1916[2] – 9 Jan, 1917 |
Succeeded by Edward R. M. Geake |
| Preceded by William D. Irvin |
Captain of H.M.S. Syren 29 Jan, 1917 – 6 Jul, 1917 |
Succeeded by Charles C. Halliday |
| Preceded by Hubert E. Gore-Langton |
Captain of H.M.S. Cossack 6 Jul, 1917 – 11 Jul, 1917 |
Succeeded by Aubrey E. D. Moore |
| Preceded by Guy L. Warren |
Captain of H.M.S. Amazon 20 Jul, 1917[3] – 29 Mar, 1918 |
Succeeded by James C. Colvill |
| Preceded by Edward D. Marston |
Captain of H.M.S. Triad 14 Jun, 1918 – 25 Mar, 1919 |
Succeeded by John S. Morrell |
Footnotes
- ↑ Ferguson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/53/102. f. 101.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 396ii.
- ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 391h.
