In 1810, we find that sloop sinking two French privateers, off Pillau; after which Captain Mainwaring conveyed Gustavus, the ex-King of Sweden, from Riga to England, under circumstances particularly difficult and singular; for which service he was promoted to post-rank, Nov. 27, in the same year. During the last two years of the war, he commanded the Royal George a first rate, on the Mediterranean station.
WILLIAM HENRY BYAM, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1811.]
This officer is the only son of Lieutenant Edward Byam, R.N. who served under Rodney on the glorious 12th April, 1782, and shortly afterwards perished in la Ville de Paris, the largest ship that had then ever been taken from the enemy. His mother was the daughter of William Gunthorpe, of the island of Antigua, Esq. The Byams are descended from an ancient Somersetshire family, whose estates were confiscated by Cromwell, in consequence of their attachment to Charles I. Their paternal ancestor was one of four brothers who took up arms in support of the royal cause; three of whom fell at the decisive and well-disputed battle of Naseby (1645). After the restoration of Charles II. the surviving brother was appointed Governor of Surinam; and subsequently Captain-General of all the Caribbee Islands. Captain Byam’s great-grandfather, the Hon. Edward Byam, Governor of Antigua, married Lydia, widow of Samuel Martin, of Green Castle, in the same island, Esq. and only daughter of Colonel John Thomas, of whom mention is made in our memoir of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Byam Martin.
Mr. William Henry Byam, was born in London, Feb. 17, 1776; and he entered the naval academy at Portsmouth, about Sept. 1789, under the patronage of the late Sir Henry Martin, Bart, a descendant of the above mentioned Colonel John Thomas, and at that time Commissioner of Portsmouth dock-yard[1].
