A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Hicks, William
HICKS. (Lieutenant, 1815. f-p., 20; h-p., 22.)
William Hicks entered the Navy, 10 May, 1805, as Midshipman, on board the Theseus 74, Capt. Fras. Temple, on the Jamaica station. While next attached, between the following Sept. and Oct. 1809, to the Powerful 74, Capts. Plampin, Buck, Pellew, and Johnston, he went through much active service in the East Indies, where he assisted in the boats at the destruction of a Malay pirate, and co-operated (as alluded to in our memoir of Lieut. John Hicks) in the capture and destruction of La Henriette and La Bellone, the shipping in Batavia Roads, and the dockyard, &c., at Griessee. He was also present, as Master’s Mate, at the bombardment of Flushing. After that event he joined the Milford 74, commanded at first, as a private ship, by Capt. Hen. Wm. Bayntun, and next employed under the flag of Sir Rich. Goodwin Keats, with whom he for some time participated in the defence of Cadiz, and then proceeded to the Mediterranean. From Aug. 1811 until July, 1812, Mr. Hicks further served on the latter station with his former Captain, Buck, on board the Franchise frigate. In the spring of 1813 he joined the Wolfe 24, hearing the broad pendant of Sir Jas. Lucas Yeo on Lake Ontario, where, in May of the same year, he took part in an attack made by that officer and Sir Geo. Prevost upon the Americans at Sacket’s Harbour. He subsequently commanded a division of gun-boats at the defeat of the American army at La Cole; and officiated as Acting-Lieutenant in command of the Finch schooner in an attack on the squadron at Plattshurg. He returned to England in Aug. 1815, having been confirmed in the rank he now holds on 15 of the previous March; and since 12 July, 1837, has been employed in command of a station in the Coast Guard.