A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Hornby, William Windham
HORNBY. (Capt., 1846. f-p., 15; h-p., 7.)
William Windham Hornby, born 23 July, 1812, at Huyton, in Lancashire, is eldest son of the Rev. Geoffrey Hornby, Rector of Bury, in that co., by the Hon. Georgiana Byng, sister of the late Vice-Admiral Viscount Torrington; and nephew of Rear-Admiral Phipps Hornby, C.B.
This officer entered the Royal Naval College 1 Dec. 1825; and embarked, in June, 1827, as a Volunteer, on board the Galatea 42, Capt. Sir Chas. Sullivan, with whom he was for some time employed on particular service. On proceeding in 1828 to the Mediterranean as Midshipman of the Rattlesnake 28, Capt. Hon. Chas. Orlando Bridgeman, he assisted at the blockade of Navarin, and took part in several boat affairs with pirates. In 1831, after an attachment with Capt. Bridgeman to the Revenge 78, he joined the Gannet 18, Capt. Mark Halpen Sweny, and sailed for the West Indies, where he was present at Jamaica during the insurrection of 1832. Passing his examination in the course of that year, he became Mate of the Ranger 28, Capt. Manley Dixon. Prior to his advancement to the rank of Lieutenant, which took place 9 Sept. 1833, Mr. Hornby was further employed in the Satellite 18, Capt. Robt. Smart, at the blockade of the Dutch coast, and in the Caledonia 180, flag-ship of Sir Josias Rowley in the Mediterranean. His next appointments were – 25 Nov. 1833, and 20 Aug. 1836, to the Canopus 84, Capt. Hon. Josceline Percy, and Beacon surveying-vessel, Lieut. Commander Thos. Graves, hoth on the latter station, whence his health obliged him to return in June, 1838 – 10 April, 1839, to the Benbow 72, Capt. Houston Stewart, from which ship also in the Mediterranean, he was again under the necessity of invaliding in June, 1840 – and 21 Aug. 1841, as First-Lieutenant, to the Warspite 50, Capt. Lord John Hay, fitting at Portsmouth. He obtained a second promotal commission 23 Nov. following; and on 9 Nov. 1846, having been in command from 7 Feb. 1845 until April of the former year, of the Styx sloop, on the coast of Africa, he was promoted to Post rank. He is at present on half-pay. Agent – Joseph Woodhead.