A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Thomas, William George
THOMAS. (Lieut., 1812. f-p., 10; h-p., 32.)
William George Thomas entered the Navy, 21 May, 1805, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Atalante 16, Capt. Joseph Ore Masefield, employed in cruizing off Brest and Rochefort. Joining next, in Aug. 1806, the Néréide 36, Capt. Robt. Corbett, he assisted, in July of the following year, in the unsuccessful attack upon Buenos Ayres, and proceeded subsequently to Bombay, whence he escorted the British Ambassador, Sir Harford Jones, to Bushehr, in the Persian Gulf. On his voyage back he aided in destroying two piratical vessels which had taken, in sight of the Néréide, the Hon.E.I.Co.’s schooner Sylph. After participating as Midshipman in other services he contributed, in Sept. 1809, to the conquest of the town of St. Paul’s, in the Ile de Bourbon, where a French frigate (La Caroline of 46 guns), a brig-of-war, two captured Indiamen, and other vessels, fell into the hands of the British. Into the frigate, whose name, on her being added to the Navy, was changed to Bourbonnaise, Mr. Thomas followed Capt. Corbett, in the ensuing Nov., in the capacity of Master’s Mate. In the summer of 1811, being then in the Scipion 74, under the flag of Hon. Robt. Stopford, he served on shore at the reduction of Batavia. He was nominated, 28 Oct. in the same year, Acting-Lieutenant of the Java 38, Capt. Geo. Scott; and on 13 May, 1812, soon after his return to England, he was officially promoted. From the following Nov. until Aug. 1815 he was employed on the Baltic, North Sea, and North American stations in the Aetna bomb, Capts. Rich. Kenah, Jas. Baynton Gardner, and Fras. Fead. During that period he accompanied the present Sir Jas. Alex. Gordon in his brilliant expedition against Alexandria, witnessed the unsuccessful attempt upon Baltimore, and took an active part in the operations connected with the ottack upon New Orleans. Since he left the Aetna he has been on half-pay.
He is married, and has issue seven children.