A Naval Biographical Dictionary/South, William Wilson
SOUTH. (Lieut., 1809. f-p., 18; h-p., 30.)
William Wilson South entered the Navy, 16 Aug. 1799, as Midshipman, on board La Forte 44, Capt. Ferdinand Lucius Hardyman, stationed in the East Indies, where, on that ship being wrecked, he joined in succession, in the course of 1801, the Leopard 50, flag-ship of Rear-Admiral John Blankett, and Fox 32, and Chiffonne 36, Capts. Henry Stuart, Chas. Adam, and Patrick Campbell. On his return in the latter frigate to Europe we find him, in June, 1805, present in company with the Falcon sloop. Clinker gun-brig, and Francis armed cutter, and assisting, after a chase of nine hours (during which the British suffered some loss from the incessant fire of the forts along shore) in driving under the batteries of Fécamp a division of the French flotilla, consisting of 2 corvettes and 15 gun-vessels, carrying in all 51 guns, 4 8-inch mortars, and 3 field-pieces, accompanied by 14 transports. When subsequently with Capt. Adam in the Resistance 38, he witnessed the surrender, 13 March, 1806, of the Marengo 80, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Linois, and 40-gun frigate Belle Poule; and on removing to the Mediator frigate, Capt. Wm. Furlong Wise, he aided in taking, in the early part of 1807, the fort of Samana, St. Domingo, a notorious nest for privateers. Joining next the Veteran 64, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Jas. Rich. Dacres, he served in the boats of that ship on various occasions, and was for some time employed in her tender the Gipsy, under the orders of the present Sir Rich. Grant. He was nominated, 2 June, 1808, Acting-Lieutenant of the Bacchante 20, Capt. Wm. Ward, with whom he returned to England; was promoted officially 13 June, 1809; and from 20 of the same month until 29 April, 1815, was employed on the Home, West India, and Cape of Good Hope stations, in the Dannemark 74, Capts. Jas. Bissett and Henry Edw. Reginald Baker, part, at first, of the force engaged in the expedition to the Walcheren. He has filled the appointment, since 4 July, 1845, of Admiralty Agent on board a contract mail steam-vessel.
In 1818-19 Lieut. South was chief Mate and Commander of the East India ship Java of 1175 tons; and in 1825-6 he commanded the Mexican frigate Libertad at the siege of San Juan de Ulloa. He married Louisa, daughter of Mr. John Rhodes, Surgeon, of Ramsgate, by whom he has issue three children. Agents – Burnett and Holmes.