Colomb, P. H. (Philip Howard), 1831-1899

1846 entered the navy; 1846-1849 served in the Mediterranean on the steam frigate Sidon; 1848-1851 midshipman on the Reynard against piracy in Chinese waters; 1852 midshipman on the Serpent during the Second Anglo-Burmese War; 1854 mate on the Phoenix during an Arctic expedition to Smith Sound; 1855 lieutenant of the Hastings during the Crimean War; 1859-1863 flag-lieutenant to rear-admiral Sir Thomas Pasley; 1861 invented the flashing system of signals; 1868-1870 commanded HMS Dryad in the Persian Gulf, engaged in the suppression of the slave trade; 1873 invented the system of interior lighting for warships; 1874-1877 commander of the Audacious, China; 1880-1881 commander of Thunderer in the Mediterranean; 1881-1884 captain of the steam reserve, Portsmouth; 1884-1886 flag-captain to commander-in-chief, Portsmouth; 1886 retired; 1887 rear-admiral; 1892 vice-admiral.

Epithet: naval officer

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