A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Wilson, William Watts
WILSON. (Lieutenant, 1841.)
William Watts Wilson was born 20 March, 1808, in the New Road, London, and died 29 May, 1845, while serving on the coast of Africa, as under, in the Lily.
This officer entered the Navy, 27 Oct. 1821, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Liffey 50, fitting for the broad pendant of Commodore Chas. Grant, Commander-in-Chief in the East Indies. He was present as Midshipman at Rangoon during the Burmese war, and saw much boat service up the rivers of Ava. In Feb. 1826 he left the Liffey. He was afterwards for many years employed on surveying duty in South America, the North Sea, and West Indies, in the Adventure and Beagle, Capts. Phillip Parker King and Robt. FitzRoy, Fairy 10, Capt. Wm. Hewett, Thunder 6, Capt. Edw. Bamett, and Lark schooner, Lieut.-Commander Thos. Smith (d). While on the South American station be sketched the greater part of the S.W. coast of Terra del Fuego. Having passed his examination so far back as 29 Nov. 1827, he was at length, 30 April, 1841, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. His last appointments were, 24 Sept. 1841, for nearly six months, to the North Star 26, Capt. Sir Jas. Everard Home, in the East Indies; and, 14 Dec. 1844, to the Lily 16, Capt. Chas. Jas. Franklin Newton, fitting for the coast of Africa, where he died. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.