WILLIAM LAYMAN, Esq.
[Commander.]
In answer to a circular letter from the Admiralty, dated July 30th, 1817, this officer wrote as follows:–
“When master’s-mate of the Myrmidon, I did, at the age of seventeen years, scuttle the lower-deck In a very heavy gale of wind, to which measure was attributed the preservation of the ship. When paid off, after having been four years in the Myrmidon, I received the strongest testimony as to the execution of my duty, with a recommendation to Captain Brown, stating that I should be found ‘a great acquisition on board the Amphion.’ The manner of my performing my duty in that ship will speak for itself; the Duke of Clarence, when commanding the Pegasus, in the West Indies, having twice applied for me: but Captain Brown declined his assent, and did not afterwards, when I was seized with fever (from my exertions in heaving down the ship, after both lieutenants had died at Jamaica), acquiesce in my leaving the ship, until the medical men represented that a change of climate was the only chance to save my life. In consequence of the report of the Commissioners of Woods, Forests, &c. published in 1792, stating, ‘Such is the present state of the growing timber, and the prospect of future supply, that this country will, in all probability, experience a fatal want of great oak timber, and become dependent on other powers for the means of supporting her navy,’ I was induced to pay the most unremitting attention to the resources of our Eastern possessions for naval purposes; and upon which subject I submitted some suggestions to H.M. Ministers, in 1797: these were well received.”
In 1800, Mr. Layman was promoted to the rank of lieutenant; on which occasion he made an application to the Earl of St. Vincent, which was thus replied to:–
“I desired Captain Grey to assure you, that I should be happy to have you in the ship with me; and, if there is nothing to detain you longer ashore, by shewing this letter to the captain of any ship of war under my orders, coming to this rendezvous” (before Brest), “you will be sure to receive all the attention due to your character, and the very laudable zeal which inspires you to serve under the auspices of
(Signed)“St. Vincent.”
On joining the Earl’s flag-ship, Lieutenant Layman presented to his Lordship a plan for building a ship of the line and a frigate annually at Bombay, which was soon afterwards ordered to be carried into execution. He also suggested,
