Robert Hood Fleming was born in Liverpool, he came from a seafering family of engineers. He served his apprenticeship in the Cork Steam Packet Co. under the supervision of his father. In July, 1881, he joined the staff of the White Star Line at Liverpool, and the following year was appointed sixth engineer in the old Britannic. Later, Mr. Fleming was transferred to the Teutonic as senior third engineer, and was at the Jubilee Review at Spithead in 1889. Subsequently he served on the Bovic, Nomadic, Medic, and Arabic, and then returned to his old ship Teutonic. After serving on the old Majestic he was appointed to the Laurentic, and in December, 1913, joined the Britannic to supervise her construction and engine outfitting. Following the ship's requisition into war service, he's been her Chief Engineer ever since.