A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Dance, William Townsend
DANCE. (Captain, 1834. f-p., 13; h-p., 28.)
William Townsend Dance entered the Navy, 16 May, 1806, as Midshipman, on board the Triumph 74, Capt. Sir Thos. Masterman Hardy, with whom he continued to serve, as Master’s Mate of the Barfleur 98, and Ramillies 74, on the West India, Lisbon, and North American stations, until May, . He next became Acting-Lieutenant of the Orpheus 36, Capt. Hugh Pigot; and after commanding her boats at the capture and destruction of an American letter-of-marque of 8 guns, was officially promoted on 12 July in the same year. Mr. Dance, who subsequently accompanied Capt. Pigot into the Nymphe 38, and Diomede 50, rejoined Sir Thos. Hardy in the Ramillies in Dec. 1814, and remained in that ship, latterly under Capts. Thos. Boys and Chas. Ogle, until April, 1816. From 24 March, 1821, until promoted to the rank of Commander 23 Oct. 1823, he further served, a great part of the time as First-Lieutenant, in the Doris 42, Capts. Thos. Graham and Fred. Edw. Venables Vernon, on the Brazilian station; after which we find him in command, from 25 Nov. 1828, until paid off towards the close of 1832, of the Sulphur sloop, on particular service. Capt. Dance has, since the latter date, been on half-pay. His promotion to the rank he now holds took place 5 June, 1834. Agent – Joseph Woodhead.