Francis Hamilton Beadon Turner
Lieutenant
Acting Sub-Lieutenant F. H. B. Turner to be Sub-Lieutennt of the Naval Training Ship, to be Lieutenant.
Victorian Government Gazette, 10 September 1867
of HMVS Nelson
source The Argus, 30 September 1872 & 15 November 1872
Applicant for position of Lieutenant of Gunner aboard Cerberus.
Timaru Herald, 23 September 1876
Mentioned in the Victorian Government Gazette dated 19 July 1872.
Pursuing our inquiries into the alleged incompetence of our naval officers; we come to the case of Lieut. Turner, who occupies a position in the service second only to that of Capt. Panter. The McPherson Ministry appointed him to the Nelson simply as an officer in chiarge of Induistrial School children; but the present Government made him a full-blown naval lieutenant by having him duly gazetted, and they are not ashanmed to tell the public that they did so. Now there are manny people - very many people- who do not believe in Mr Turner as a nautical man. He may be a perfect model of propriety and the embodiment of all the cardinal virtues; but: the opiinion is entertained that his knowledge of seamanshiip and navigation is not sufficient. to give him any claim to the situation he now occupies. It has been pointed out by a 6ontenmporary thah this is the gentleman, who would have control of our- naval forces in the event of an accident occurring to Capt. Panter, and the question arises, Are we preparcd for such a contingency? For our part we strongly object tor Mr. Turrier having sole control of any vessel in the "Victorian fleet," except it is 'the gun-raft which Sir Georgo Verdon has rendered historical. A man may possess in any emineint degree the knack of reforming wicked little boys, but that does not make him a sailor. He may be a keen observer of juvenile character, and yet unable to take a ship into action. As. an officer of the Industrial Schools department, we have no objection whatever to urge, against Mr. Turner; but we strongly object to any arrangement by which he might become the commanider of our naval forces to the prejudice of more experienced and better men.
Williamstown Chronicle, 19 October 1872
"The ship (Nelson) at present is in charge of Lieutenant F. Turner..." The Australasian Sketcher. 11 July 1874
When Francis left the Navy he ventured into a partnership with his friend Captain W.H. Panter and bought Breakfast Creek Sheep Station in N.S.W. |