A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Rodger, William
RODGER. (Lieut., 1815. f-p., 7; h-p., 32.)
William Rodger entered the Navy, 19 Nov. 1808, as Midshipman, on board the Ardent 64, Capt. Jas. Giles Vashon. After a servitude of more than three years with that officer in the same ship and in the Thalia 36, on the Leith, Channel, and Jamaica stations, he was nominated, 19 Jan. 1811, Acting-Master of the Pelorus 18, Capts. Thos. Huskisson, Joshua Ricketts Rowley, and Hon. Robt. Cavendish Spencer. Under Capt. Huskisson we find him assisting, 17 Oct. 1809, at the destruction of a battery near Point-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe; and, in Feb. 1810, at the capture of that island. In Dec. 1812, being then in the Mediterranean, he removed to the Goshawk 16, Capt. Hon. Wm. John Napier. On that vessel being wrecked on the coast of Catalonia 21 Sept. 1813, he was received on board the Barfleur 98, Capts. Sir Edw. Berry and John Maitland. In July, 1814, he was again placed under the orders of Capt. Napier, as Master’s Mate, in the Erne 20; and in July, 1815, after having served with him on the coast of North America and in the Channel, he took up a commission bearing date 27 of the preceding Feb. He has since been on half-pay.
In the session of 1817-18 Lieut. Rodger received from the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, &c., a Silver Medal for his “Plug for raising Empty Casks;” and, in that of 1818-19, a Gold one for his “Life Raft.” In 1829 he was presented by the same Society with the Gold Isis Medal for his “Syphon for Watering Ships,” and with a large Silver Medal for his “Make-Shift Anchor.” Agents – Messrs. Halford and Co.