A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Wilson, Alexander
WILSON. (Lieutenant, 1815. f-p., 21; h-p., 33.)
Alexander Wilson entered the Navy, 28 July, 1793, as A.B., on board the Blonde 32, Capt. John Markham, stationed in the Channel and West Indies; where he continued chiefly employed, in different capacities, but principally as Midshipman and Master’s Mate, with the same officer and with Capts. Thos. Louis and Edw. Thurlow Smith in the Hannibal and Carnatic 74’s, with Admirals Lord Hugh Seymour and Robt. Montagu in the Sans Pareil so, and with Capt. Chas. Brisbane in the Goliath 74 and Arethusa 38, until Aug. 1808. He co-operated in the Blonde in the reduction of the West India islands in 1794; assisted in the Hannibal at the capture, 11 April, 1795, of La Gentille French frigate of 42 guns; aided in the Goliath, in making prize, 28 June, 1803, of La Mignonne corvette, of 16 guns and 80 men; and in the Arethusa, besides sharing in the brilliant attack upon Curaçoa, took part, 23 Aug. 1806, near the Havana, in a spirited action which terminated in the surrender (with a loss to the British of 2 men killed and 32 wounded) of the Pomona Spanish frigate of 38 guns and 347 men laden with specie and merchandize, and defended by a castle mounting 11 36-pounders, and a flotilla of 10-gunboats, all of which were destroyed. On leaving the Arethusa he followed Capt. Brisbane into the Blake 74, commanded next by Capt. Edw. Codrington; under whom we find him, in 1809, accompanying the expedition to the Scheldt. From Jan. 1810 until Nov. 1812 he served again in the West Indies, in the Neptune 98, Statira 38, and Dragon 74, under the flags of Hon. Sir Alex. Cochrane and Sir Fras. Laforey; and in Nov. 1813 he joined the Hebrus of 42 guns and 284 men, Capt. Edm. Palmer. In that ship it was his fortune, 27 March, 1814, to assist as Master’s Mate, at the capture, under Cape La Hogue, of the French frigate L’Etoile of 44 guns and 315 men, after a close and obstinate engagement of two hours and a quarter, attended with a loss to the British of 13 killed and 25 wounded, and to the enemy of 40 killed and 73 wounded. He sailed subsequently for Halifax, where on 2 July, 1814, about six weeks after he had been ordered to act as Lieutenant, he was under the necessity of being sent to sick quarters. In the course of the same month he was received as a Supernumerary on board his former ship the Dragon, Capt. Robt. Barrie, for the purpose of again joining the Hebrus. From her he was transferred, 23 Oct., to the Tonnant 80, bearing the flag of Sir A. Cochrane, by whom, having participated in the operations against New Orleans, he was nominated, 15 April, 1815, Acting-Lieutenant of the Lacedaemonian 38, Capt. Sam. Jackson. On his return to Spithead in the ensuing July he was presented with a commission bearing date 2 Feb. 1815. He has since been on half-pay. In addition to the ships above named Mr. Wilson commanded, as an Acting-Lieutenant, the Laura and Ballahou schooners, and served as such in the Arachne brig, Capt. Sam. Chambers, during a period, in the whole, of seven months.