A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Haydon, William
HAYDON. (Captain, 1841. f-p., 16; h-p., 38.)
William Haydon is brother of Lieut. Geo. Haydon, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, 14 July, 1793, as Admiral’s Servant, on board the Royal George 100, Capt. Wm. Domett, bearing the flag on the Channel of the late Lord Bridport; and, from the following Sept. until his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant 26 Sept. 1799, was successively employed on the Home station in the Niger, Latona, and Cambrian frigates, all commanded by Capt. Hon. Arthur Kaye Legge; under whom, in the Niger, one of Vice-Admiral Graves’ repeaters, he officiated as Signal-Midshipman in the action of 1 June, 1794. Until he invalided in Nov. 1801, Mr. Haydon next served on the Irish and West India stations in the Hazard 18, and Cerberus 32, Capts. Wm. Butterfield and Jas. Macnamara. He was subsequently, on 4 April, 1803, appointed First of the Mercury 28, in which frigate, and in L’Aimable 32, and Medusa, of similar force, he uninterruptedly served for five years with Capt. Hon. Duncombe Pleydell Bouverie. He was at first employed, during that period, on the Jersey and Guernsey station; next, under Lord Nelson in the Mediterranean; and ultimately in South America, where, in Feb. 1807, he served on shore with a brigade of seamen and marines under Capt. Ross Donnelly, and obtained the high eulogiums of Sir Sam. Auchmuty for his conduct at the storming of Monte Video. On the return of the Medusa to England, Mr. Haydon was sent with a strong recommenda^ tion to Sir Wm. Sidney Smith, then at Rio de Janeiro, where, in July, 1808, he was invested by that officer with the command of the Hospital Island, and the rank of Commander. The Admiralty, however, refusing to confirm the appointment, he returned to England, and was not promoted until 1 Aug. 1811, from which period, with the exception of three months’ acting-command (from Dec. 1811 to March, 1812), of the Crane 18, he remained on half-pay until nominated, 15 May, 1828, Second Captain of the Windsor Castle 76, flag-ship in the Mediterranean of his friend Hon. D. P. Bouverie. In May, 1830, his private affairs requiring his presence in England, Capt. Haydon was obliged to resign his appointment; and he has not since been afloat. His elevation to the rank he now holds took place 23 Nov. 1841.