A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Dow, William
DOW. (Lieutenant, 1814. f-p., 14; h-p., 27.)
William Dow, born 23 May, 1794, in the island of Antigua, is fourth son of Archibald Dow, Esq. This officer entered the Navy, 28 July, 1806, as Sec.-cl. Vol., on board the Royal William 100, Capt. Hon. Courtenay Boyle, bearing the flag at Spithead of Admiral Montagu. On 17 Dec. 1808, he became Midshipman of the Christian VII. 80, Capt. Joseph Sydney Yorke, flag-ship afterwards of Sir Edw. Pellew, with whom he removed, in 1811, to the Caledonia 120. From Nov. 1812, to March, 1814, Mr. Dow was employed next in the Undaunted 38, Capts. Rich. Thomas and Thos. Ussher. He served, during that period, in the boats under Lieut. Aaron Tozer, at the storming and capture, 18 March, 1813, of a battery of 6 guns at Carri, near Marseilles – was at the taking, in open day, of two settees, within pistol-shot distance of a battery on Cape Croisette, on which occasion the boats sustained a severe loss – contributed, on 31 of the same month, to the gallant capture and destruction, by the boats of the Undaunted, Volontaire, and Redwing, of two strong batteries and 14 sail of vessels, at Morjean – was further present, 2 May following, with the boats of the Undaunted, Volontaire, and Repulse, at the cutting-out of a well-protected convoy in the same harbour – and, besides figuring in other dashing affairs, again served in the boats on 9 Nov. and assisted in escalading a vigorously defended tower at Fort Nouvelle, where seven French vessels, lying under the protection of several batteries, were destroyed. For these services, Mr. Dow was appointed, 26 May, 1814, Acting-Lieutenant of the Castor 32, Capt. Chas. Dilkes, to which frigate he was confirmed 17 June following. Being paid off in Sept. 1815, after having visited the West Indies, and been employed the last eight months as First-Lieutenant, he subsequently joined, 14 Feb. 1825, in the latter capacity, the Doris 42, Capt. Sir John Gordon Sinclair, with whom he served on the South American station until 1829. His next appointment was to the command, 11 March, 1836, of the Carbon steam-vessel; in which, after conveying a body of marine artillery to join the force under Lord John Hay on the coast of Spain, he proceeded to the West Indies; whence in consequence of two severe attacks of yellow fever, which deprived him of the use of his limbs, he invalided home, in Oct. of the same year. He has not since been afloat.
Lieut. Dow married, 18 Jan. 1830, Caroline, third daughter of Sam. Enderby, Esq. of Croom’s Hill, Blackheath, co. Kent, by whom he has issue four daughters. Agents – Messrs. Ommanney.