A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Oliver, William Sandford
OLIVER. (Retired Commander, 1844. f-p., 18; h-p., 35.)
William Sandford Oliver died in 1845.
This officer entered the Navy, 15 Jan. 1793, as a Supernumerary, on board the Polyphemus 64, employed in the North Sea; and from the following Oct. until June, 1799, served as Midshipman and Master’s Mate in the Cerberus 32, Capts. John Drew and Jas. Macnamara, on the Irish station; where, in Nov. 1797, he assisted at the capture of the privateers Epervier of 16 guns and 145 men, and Rénard of 18 guns and 189 men, besides sharing in an action with the Buonaparte, another privateer of 32 guns and 250 men. After acting for a short time in the Channel as Lieutenant of the Bellona and Russel 74’s, he was confirmed, 26 Sept. 1799, into the Seagull, Capts. Henry Wray and Thos. Lavie, on the Guernsey station. His succeeding appointments were – 24 Nov. 1800, to the Royal George 100, in the Channel – 3 Jan. 1801, to the Hussar 38, Capts. Lord Viscount Garlies and Wm. Brown, on the Irish station, where he remained until July, 1802 – 27 Sept. 1803, to the Terrible 74, Capt. Lord Henry Paulet, attached to the Channel Fleet – 8 Nov. 1804, to the Severn 40, bearing the flag of the Prince de Bouillon off Jersey – in April, 1805, for a passage to Gibraltar, to the Queen 98, flag-ship of Rear-Admiral John Knight – in May following, to the San Juan 74, as Flag-Lieutenant to the latter officer at the place last mentioned – and 14 May, 1806, and 6 Dec. 1811, to the command of the Spider and Martial brigs in the Mediterranean and North Sea. He went on half-pay in March, 1812; became a Retired Commander on the Junior List 26 Nov. 1830; and was transferred, 3 May, 1844, to the Senior List.