A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Strong, William
STRONG. (Lieut., 1810. f-p., 22; h-p., 31.)
William Strong entered the Navy, 18 July, 1794, as Midshipman, on board the Glory 98, Capts. Thos. Bourmaster, Alex. Graeme, Theophilus Jones, Geo. Grey, Jas. Brine, and Thos. Wells; with whom he continued employed in the Channel, on the coast of Ireland, and in the Mediterranean, until transferred, in Aug. 1801, to the Neptune 98, flag-ship in the Channel of Vice-Admiral Jas. Gambier. He served next, from June, 1802, until March, 1805, in the Concorde 36, Capt. John Wood, in the East Indies; and he then joined the Pitt alias Salsette 36, Capts. Jas. Giles Vashon and Walter Bathurst. On 20 Jan. 1806 the latter frigate had 1 man killed and her hull much damaged by the fire of Fort Canonnier, to which she was exposed during 20 minutes, without being able to return a single gun. She subsequently, while stationed in the Baltic, made prize of the Russian cutter Apith of 14 guns and 61 men, 4 of whom were killed and 8 wounded, with the loss to the British of 1 man killed; and in July, 1809, she accompanied the expedition to the Walcheren. In the following Oct. Mr. Strong, who had obtained the rating of Master’s Mate, was received in that capacity on board the Caledonia 120, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Fras. Pickmore at Cadiz; where, on 18 July, 1810, he was confirmed a Lieutenant, a few weeks after he had been ordered to act as such, in the Aetna bomb, Capts. John Bowker and John Fordyce Maples. From that vessel, which appears to have been very warmly engaged in the defence of Cadiz, he removed, 27 Jan. 1811, to the Wizard 16, Capts. J. Bowker, Chas. Shaw, Fairfax Moresby, Edw. Boxer, and Walter Croker. Under Capt. Moresby he was active in the suppression of piracy in the Grecian Archipelago, aided in making several prizes, was present at the reduction of Trieste, and went through much general service. He was paid off in Oct. 1815; and has not been since employed.