A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Steel, David
STEEL. (Lieut., 1825. f-p., 18; h-p., 21.)
David Steel entered the Navy, 31 March, 1808, as Midshipman, on board the Pompée 74, Capts. Geo. Cockburn and Wm. Chas. Fahie; in which ship he served at the reduction of Martinique, and assisted, 17 April, 1809, at the capture, after an arduous chase of two days and a close action of an hour and a quarter (wherein the Pompée, who was supported by the Castor 32, lost 9 killed and 30 wounded), of the D’Haupoult of 74 guns and 680 men, of whom between 80 and 90 were killed and wounded. In the following Aug. he removed as Master’s Mate to the Neptune 98, Capt. Jas. Athol Wood; and with that officer he was again, from 1810 until Nov. 1815, employed in the Pompée in the Channel and Mediterranean; on which latter station (having passed his examination in June, 1814) he served as Admiralty-Mate, from Dec. 1815 until May, 1819, in the Euphrates 36 and Albion 74, Capts. Robt. Preston and John Coode. He then joined, in the same capacity, the Vengeur 74, Capt. Fred. Lewis Maitland, and Dover 28, Capts. Arthur Batt Bingham and Sam. Chambers, both on the Leith station; where he was nominated, 7 Aug. 1824, Acting-Lieutenant of the Clio 18, Capt. Chas. Strangways. He was confirmed to that vessel, 10 Jan. 1825, but left her 3 March, 1826, and has not been since afloat.
During the time he was in the Pompée he took part in a variety of cutting-out affairs, and was employed in landing troops in the unsuccessful attack upon Tarragona in 1813. A wound he received on that occasion procured him a small pension which ceased on his promotion. While serving in the Albion Mr. Steel fell overboard in Malta Harbour and had it not been for the intrepid exertions of the present Lieut. Henry Batt he would in all probability have perished.