WILLIAM RICHARD SMITH, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1817.]
We first find this officer serving as midshipman of the Daedalus frigate, Captain Henry Lidgbird Ball, on the East India station, in 1800[1]. He was made commander, Dec. 15, 1808; appointed to the Orestes brig, Oct. 16, 1811; and posted Jan. 1, 1817.
HENRY COLINS DEACON, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1817.]
Entered the navy in 1800, as midshipman on board the Fisgard frigate. Captain (now Sir T. Byam) Martin. During the peace of Amiens he served in the Achille 74 and Alarm 32. After the renewal of hostilities we find him in the Amazon 36, Captain William Parker, on the Mediterranean station. The manner in which that ship was employed will be seen by reference to pp. 438–440 of Vol. II. Part I.
After the capture of the Marengo and Belle Poule, Mr. Deacon was recommended by Earl St. Vincent to the patronage of Rear-Admiral George Murray, who appointed him acting lieutenant of the Olympia cutter, in the Rio de la Plata, during the expedition for the recovery of Buenos Ayres[2]. This appointment was confirmed in England, Feb. 24, 1808, previous to which he had assisted at the capture of a French letter of marque, of much superior force, after a severe action, and conducted her to the Cape of Good Hope, encountering in his passage thither a constant succession of heavy gales for 42 days, during which period the pumps were incessantly at work, and the prize crew reduced to half a pint of water each man per diem.
About 18 months after his appointment to the Olympia, Lieutenant Deacon was removed to the Caledon, which ship he soon quitted in order to join la Nereide frigate, Captain Robert Corbett, about to proceed on a cruise off the Mau-
- ↑ See Suppl. Part I. p. 143.
- ↑ See Vol. II. Part II. p. 791 et seq.
