A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Morshead, William Henry Anderson
MORSHEAD, C.B. (Captain, 1842.)
William Henry Anderson Morshead entered the Navy 4 Sept. 1823; passed his examination in 1830; and obtained his first commission 21 Sept. 1832. His succeeding appointments were – 2 April, 1833, as Additional-Lieutenant, to the St. Vincent 120, Capt. Humphrey Fleming Senhouse, in the Mediterranean – 29 July following, and 30 May and 16 Dec. 1834, to the Malabar 74, Capts. Hon. Josceline Percy and Henry Shovell Marsham, Talavera 74, Capt. Edw. Chetham, and Edinburgh 74, Capt. Jas. Rich. Dacres, on the same station, whence he returned in the early part of 1837 – 28 Sept. in the latter year, as Senior, to the Favourite 18, Capt. Walter Croker, whom he accompanied to the East Indies – and, 1 June, 1838, in a similar capacity, to the Hyacinth 18, Capt. Wm. Warren. On 13 and 18 March, 1841, we find him commanding the boats of the latter vessel at the capture of the last fort protecting the approaches to Canton, and also of the city itself.[1] During the second series of operations against it, it was his lot to be slightly wounded, and to perform service which gained him the public mention of Sir Humphrey Fleming Senhouse.[2] Being rewarded with the rank of Commander 8 June, 1841, and appointed, 16 Oct. following, to the Columbine 16, he further distinguished himself by the manner in which, with his own boats and those of the Hon. Co.’s war-steamer Queen, he destroyed a large number of fire-junks intended for the destruction of Her Majesty’s shipping in the neighbourhood of Ningpo, 10 March, 1842.[3] In the course of the same year he participated in the attacks upon Chapoo and Woosung, and in the operations on the Yang-tse-Kiang.[4] For these services he was recompensed with a Post-commission dated 23 Dec. 1842, and, the next day, with the Companionship of the Bath. He paid the Columbine off in the early part of 1843, and has not been since employed. Agent – John P. Muspratt.