Reuben Main (1869-1916)
1916 Obituary [1]
REUBEN MAIN, Engineer Commander in His Majesty's Navy, lost his life in the battle that took place off the coast of Jutland on May 31, 1916, between the British and German fleets.
He was born on February 1, 1869. He entered the Navy in 1888.
In May 1889 he was appointed to H.M.S. Tama, (Particular Service), being later transferred to H.M.S. Serapis. He was granted a com- mission as Assistant Engineer in 1889.
In April 1891 he was appointed to H.M.S. Thunderer (Mediterranean Station), in which ship he remained 18 months. After a short time in home appointments he served in H.M.S. Volage in the Training Squadron.
In 1895 he was appointed to H.M.S. Plover, China Station, returning to England early in 1899. After a short time in H.M.S. Kestrel he was transferred to H.M.S. Victoria and Albert, remaining in that vessel till December 1901. After serving in H.M.S. Irresistible and H.M.S. Harrier on the Mediterranean Station, he returned p England in the latter ship.
In August 1905 he was appointed on a Committee for the Revision. of Establishments. He was promoted to the rank of Engineer Commander with seniority on April 1, 1907. In September 1908 he was appointed to H.M.S. Revenge (Home Station), and in February 1909 to H.M.S. Ocean (Mediterranean Station).
On March 22, 1912, he was appointed as Engineer Overseer in the Liverpool District, in which appointment he remained until appointed to H.M.S. Invincible, April 29, 1916. It was in this ship that Engineer Commander Main was serving at the time of his death.
He was elected a member of the Institute of Metals in 1913