A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Critchell, William
CRITCHELL. (Commander, 1846. f-p., 24; h-p., 14.)
William Critchell entered the Navy, 22 Aug. 1809, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Caledonia 120, Capt. Wm. Bedford, flag-ship afterwards of Sir Harry Burrard Neale, whom he followed, as Midshipman, in 1811, into the Boyne 98. From 1812 until July, 1816, this officer, who had been hitherto employed in the Channel, served with Capt. Phipps Hornby of the Stag and Spartan frigates, on the Cape of Good Hope and Mediterranean stations; after which he became attached, as Admiralty Midshipman, to the Martin 16, Capt. Andrew Mitchell, off Cork, and Iphigenia 36, Capts. John Tancock and Hyde Parker, under the latter of whom, in 1818, he escorted to Quebec the Duke of Richmond, then recently appointed Governor-General of Canada. He was confirmed to a Lieutenancy in the Confiance, Capt. Alex. Montgomerie, on the West India station, 14 Oct. 1819; and afterwards appointed – 11 Sept. 1824, to the Esk 20, Capt. Wm. Jardine Purchas, off the coast of Africa – 3 July, 1834, as First, to the Wolf 18, Capt. Edw. Stanley, in the East Indies – 15 April, 1836, to a station in the Coast Guard – 16 Dec. 1837, and 27 June, 1839, again as Senior Lieutenant, to the Electra 18, Capts. Wm. Preston and Edw. Keeves Philip Mainwaring, and President 50, Capt. Wm. Broughton, on the South American station – and, 1 March, 1843, and 16 Nov. 1844, in a similar capacity, to the Hecla steam-sloop, Capt. John Duffill, and Bonetta surveying-vessel, Capt. Thos. Saumarez Brock, both employed in the Mediterranean. Since the attainment of his present rank, 9 Nov. 1846, Commander Critchell has been on half-pay.
He married, 23 Feb. 1830, Fanny, youngest daughter of the late T. Croft, Esq., by whom he has issue. Agents – Messrs. Chard.