A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Winniett, William
WINNIETT. (Commander, 1843.)
William Winniett entered the Navy, 18 June, 1807, as Sec.-cl. Vol., on board the Cleopatra 32, Capts. Robt. Simpson, Sam. John Pechell, and Chas. John Austen, employed at first on the coast of North America and then in the West Indies. Under Capt. Pechell he assisted at the capture (the British ships Jason 32 and Hazard 18 in company) of the French 40-gun frigate La Topaze, 22 Jan. 1809, after a very spirited action, fought chiefly between the Cleopatra and the enemy, at the time anchored, with springs on her cables, under a small battery to the southward of Pointe-Noire, Guadeloupe; and in the ensuing month he co-operated in the reduction of Martinique. In Aug. 1811 he removed as Midshipman (a rating he had already attained) to the Africaine 38, Capt. Hon. Edw. Rodney; in which ship he was for about two years employed in the East Indies, half the period in the capacity of Master’s Mate. He served afterwards on the North American, Home, West India, and African stations, in the Tonnant 80, flag-ship of Hon. Sir Alex. Cochrane, Royal Sovereign 100, Capt. Wm. Robt. Broughton, Salisbury 58, and Pique 36, both commanded by Capt. John Mackellar (the former bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral John Erskine Douglas), and Morgiana 18, Capts. Chas. Burrough Strong, Alex. Sandilands, and Wm. Finlaison. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant 29 Jan. 1821; and was subsequently appointed – 21 May, 1830, to the Coast Blockade, as a Supernumerary of the Hyperion 42, Capt. Wm. Jas. Mingaye – 16 March, 1831, to the Coast Guard – 17 March, 1837, and 9 Oct. 1839, to the command of the Viper brigantine and Firefly steamer, on the African and North America and West India stations – 5 Nov. 1842, after a few months of half-pay, to the William and Mary yacht, Capt. Sir Fras. Augustus Collier, lying at Woolwich – and 1 Jan. 1843, to the command (with his name on the books of the vessel last named) of the Lightning steamer. His promotion to the rank he now holds took place 5 Oct. 1843.
Commander Winniett was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Her Majesty’s Forts and Settlements on the Gold Coast, 24 Oct. 1845. Agents – Messrs. Chard.