A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Williams, William John
WILLIAMS. (Lieut., 1815. f-p., 11; h-p., 33.)
William John Williams entered the Navy, 3 Aug. 1803, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Impérieuse 38, Capt. Hon. Henry Hotham, with whom, after cruizing in the Channel, he removed, in the spring of 1804, to the Révolutionnaire 44. In that frigate he escorted the Duke of Sussex from Lisbon to Portsmouth, accompanied the outward-bound East India trade to the line, and visited the coast of North America. He was also present in Sir Rich. Strachan’s action 4 Nov. 1805. On 19 July, 1806, about four months after he had become Midshipman of the Blanche of 46 guns and 265 men, Capt. Thos. Lavie, we find him present at the capture, off the Faeroe islands, of the Guerrière French frigate of 50 guns and 317 men, after a severe action, in which the British had but 4 men wounded, and the enemy as many as 50 killed and wounded. For his gallantry in achieving this exploit Capt. Lavie received the honour of knighthood. On the night of 4 March, 1807, the Blanche was wrecked off Ushant; and from that period until May, 1814, Mr. Williams was detained a prisoner of war in France. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant 6 March, 1815, and has since been on half-pay.
Lieut. Williams has for some time filled an appointment in the Customs. Agents – Messrs. Ommanney.