A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Turner, William
TURNER. (Captain, 1841. f-p., 14; h-p., 17.)
William Turner entered the Navy, 15 May, 1816, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Scamander 36, Capt. Wm. Elliott, stationed in the West Indies. From Oct. 1818 until April, 1821, he served as Midshipman in the Vengeur 74, Capt. Fred. Lewis Maitland, at Leith, in South America, and in the West Indies; he then joined the Queen Charlotte 100, flag-ship of Sir Jas. Hawkins Whitshed at Portsmouth; and on 15 March, 1823, at which period he had been serving for seven months in the West Indies in the Sybille 48, bearing the flag of Sir Chas. Rowley, he was there nominated Acting-Lieutenant of the Hyperion 42, Capts. Jas. Lillicrap and Geo. Fred. Rich. On 30 May, 1823, his promotion was confirmed. He returned home in March, 1824; and was next, 8 Oct. in the same year and 5 Dec. 1826, appointed to the Romney troop-ship, Capt. Nicholas Lockyer, and to his former ship the Sybille, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Fras. Augustus Collier, on the coast of Africa. For the valour he displayed in command of the Black Joke tender, carrying 1 long 18-pounder gun on a pivot and 43 men, in an action of two hours with a Spanish piratical vessel mounting 14 carriage-guns, 12 and 24-pounders, on Gover’s principle, with a crew of 87 men, of all nations, he was promoted by the Lord High Admiral to the rank of Commander 14 July, 1828. He had also the gratification of being presented with a sword valued at 200 guineas, bearing the following inscription :– “A token of respect and regard from Commodore Collier, the Captain, officers, and ship’s company of H.M.S. Sybille, to Capt. Wm. Turner, for his zeal and gallantry while Lieutenant-commanding the Black Joke tender.” The Mate, too, who was serving under him, Mr. Edw. Lyne Harvey, was promoted to superior rank. Capt. Turner’s last appointment was, 24 May, 1830, to the Dryad 42, Capt. John Hayes, with whom he was again employed on the coast of Africa, as Second Captain, until paid off on his return to England in 1832. He acquired the rank he now holds 23 Nov. 1841. Agent – J. Hinxman.