A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Sweeting, William
SWEETING. (Lieut., 1816. f-p., 8; h-p., 32.)
William Sweeting was born 23 March, 1793.
This officer entered the Navy, 10 July, 1807, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board La Nymphe 36, Capts. Conway Shipley and Hon. Josceline Percy, in which frigate, after accompanying the expedition against Copenhagen, he sailed for Lisbon, and then proceeded to the Mediterranean, where he served as Midshipman, from Oct. 1809 until Dec. 1811, in the Centaur 74, Ville de Paris 110, and Hibernia 120, flag-ships of Rear-Admirals Sir Sam. Hood, Thos. Fras. Fremantle, and Sir Rich. Goodwin Keats. On leaving the Hibernia he was received on board the Minden 74, Capts. Alex. Skene, Joseph Prior, Geo. Henderson, and Hon. Donald Hugh Mackay, with whom we find him, until his return to England in March, 1816, employed in the East Indies as Midshipman, Master’s Mate, and Acting-Lieutenant – the chief part of the time under the flag of Sir S. Hood. In July of the latter year (he had passed his examination 16 July, 1813) he was appointed Admiralty-Midshipman of the Superb 74, Capt. Chas. Ekins; and on 27 of the ensuing Aug. he was present at the bombardment of Algiers, where he was severely wounded by large splinters in the forehead, right shoulder, and breast.[1] These injuries not being considered equal to the loss of a limb, he received no pecuniary compensation. His conduct, however, procured him a commission dated 16 Sept. 1816. Since his promotion he has been on half-pay.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1816, p. 1792.