Watson entered the Royal Navy in 1860, was promoted to lieutenant in 1866, and to commander in 1879.[2]
Promoted to captain on 31 December 1885,[3] Watson became commanding officer of the cruiser HMS Leander in February 1889 and commanding officer of the battleship HMS Royal Oak in January 1896.[4] He went on to be Captain Superintendent of Pembroke Dockyard from October 1896 until October 1899. A naval Aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria from 1898 to 1899, he was promoted to flag rank as rear-admiral on 25 August 1899,[5] and appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) the same year.[1] The following year, he was appointed Admiral Superintendent, Malta Dockyard in February 1900.[6] When Lord Charles Beresford resigned as Second-in-Command of the Mediterranean Fleet in January 1902, Watson was appointed to succeed him, taking over the battleship HMS Ramillies as his flag ship.[7]
Watson was landed at Malta on 19 September 1902 due to a severe attack of pneumonia, and died there on 21 September 1902.[2][8] He was buried at the old naval cemetery at Bighi two days later.[9]
United Kingdom
Royal Navy