A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Webb, William Henry
WEBB. (Commander, 1847.)
William Henry Webb entered the Navy (from the Royal Naval College) 27 June, 1829; passed his examination 14 Nov. 1834; and while employed on the Niger expedition in the Soudan steamer, Capt. Bird Allen, was made Lieutenant, 23 Nov. 1841, into the Alert, Capt. Henry Dundas Trotter. He was next, 5 Jan. 1843, appointed to the Styx steam surveying-sloop, Capt. Alex. Thos. Emeric Vidal, stationed among the Azores; and from 5 Feb. 1845 until advanced to his present rank 26 Oct. 1847, he was employed in the Firebrand steam-frigate of 410 horse-power, Capt. Jas. Hope, on the south-east coast of America. On 20 Oct. 1845 he was present in the battle of the Parana, where a hard day’s fighting resulted in the destruction, by the combined squadrons of England and France, of four heavy batteries belonging to General Rosas at Punta Obligado, also of a schooner-of-war carrying 6 guns, and of 24 vessels chained across the river. Agent – Joseph Woodhead.