A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Byass, Wheatley
BYASS. (Lieutenant, 1827. f-p., 19; h-p., 20.)
Wheatley Byass was born 5 Sept. 1796.
This officer entered the Navy, 19 Nov. 1808, as Midshipman, on board the Challenger 16, Capts. Wm. Barnham Rider and Goddard Blennerhassett, and, after assisting at the destruction of the French shipping in Basque Roads, and, actively, at the reduction of Flushing, in 1809, was captured, at the close of a running fight of four hours, by a French frigate and armed store-ship, off Ile de France, 12 March, 1811. On regaining his liberty in 1814, he joined the Amphion 32, Capt. Jas. Pattison Stewart, in the Channel; and in the course of 1815 (in Oct. of which year he passed his examination) he successively removed to the Eurydice 24, and Erne 20, both commanded by Capt. Rich. Spencer; with whom he accompanied Lord Exmouth in his first visit to Algiers in 1816, and then served, at the Cape of Good Hope and off the coast of Ireland, until paid off’ in Dec. 1817. Mr. Byass’ subsequent appointments were – in March, 1818, and Aug. 1823, as Admiralty Midshipman, to the Sappho 18, Capts. Jas. Hanway Plumridge, Henry Wm. Bruce, Hon. Henry John Rous, and Jenkin Jones, and Sybille frigate, Capt. Sam. John Pechell, employed on the Home and Mediterranean stations – and, between Feb. 1825, and Dec. 1826, as Admiralty Mate, to the Pandora 18, Capt. Geo. Gordon, Britannia 120, Capt. Philip Pipon, Magnificent 74, Lieut.-Commander John Mundell, Serapis 20, Capt. Chas. Elliot, and Scylla 20, Capt. Wm. Hobson, on the Home and West India stations. He was confirmed to a Lieutenancy in the Harlequin 18, Capt. C. Elliot, 28 April, 1827, but was superseded in the ensuing July, and has not since been afloat.