Richard Roberts (sea captain)

Richard Roberts (1803-1841) was an Irish sea captain. He entered the Royal Navy in his youth and served with them until he gained the rank of Lieutenant, and was given command of the SS Sirius. With Roberts at the helm, the Sirius became the first steamship to travel across the Atlantic to America, in April 1838. Shortly afterward, he was transferred to the SS President, which was lost at sea in March 1841. Roberts is presumed to have gone down with the ship.