WILLIAM HENDERSON, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1815.]
Nephew to Captain David Willmott, R.N. an officer of the highest reputation, who greatly distinguished himself on many important occasions, was eight times wounded in battle, and at last fell, assisting in the glorious defence of St. Jean d’Acre, April 8th, 1799[1].
It was about this period, that Mr. Henderson first embarked as a midshipman, for the purpose of joining his uncle, then commanding the Alliance 20, under the orders of Earl St. Vincent, whose respect for the character of that gallant officer was so great, that he spontaneously took the nephew under his protection, and continued his friendship to him during the remainder of his valuable life.
In May 1802, Mr. Henderson was paid off from the Ville de Paris 110, late flag-ship of Earl St. Vincent; and we immediately afterwards find him joining the Belleisle 74, Captain John Whitby; in which third-rate he also served under Captain (now Sir William) Hargood, and bore a part at the ever memorable battle of Trafalgar, Oct. 21, 1805. On that occasion, the Belleisle had 2 lieutenants and 31 men killed, 93 wounded, her bowsprit and all three lower-masts shot away, both sides of her hull terribly mauled, and every boat, except one, destroyed[2]. After the tremendous conflict, she was in a very perilous situation, and narrowly escaped being wrecked, both off Trafalgar and Tariffa, but by uncommon exertions she escaped destruction, and with great difficulty reached Gibraltar.
On Earl St. Vincent hoisting the union flag, as Commander-in-chief of the Channel fleet, in Mar. 1806, Mr. Henderson again joined his patron; and, on the 26th of the same month, being then in the Hibernia 110, was appointed acting lieutenant of the Niobe frigate, Captain John Wentworth Loring; under whom he assisted at the capture of le Néarque, French
