A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Hall, William

1733076A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Hall, WilliamWilliam Richard O'Byrne

HALL. (Commander, 1814. f-p., 18; h-p., 32.)

William Hall entered the Navy, 1 Dec. 1797, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Boadicea 38 Capt. Rich. Goodwin Keats; previously to accompanying whom, as Midshipman, into the Superb 74, he witnessed, 2 July, 1799, an attack made by Rear-Admiral Chas. Morice Pole on a Spanish squadron lying in Aix Roads. On his removal to the last-mentioned ship he was afforded an opportunity, in July, 1801, of sharing in Sir Jas. Saumarez’ celebrated actions off Algeciras and Cadiz. On his ultimate return to England from the Mediterranean as a passenger in the Kent 74, Capt. John Chambers White, he was successively appointed Acting and Sub-Lieutenant, in 1804-5, of the Musquito 18 Capt. Sam. Jackson, stationed in the North Sea and Downs. Between the date of his promotion to the full rank of Lieutenant, 1 May, 1807, and of his elevation to that of Commander, 29 July, 1814, he was next employed in the Fame 74, Capt. Rich. Hen. Alex. Bennett, Active 38, Capt. Jas. Alex. Gordon, Ganges 74, Capt. Peter Halkett, Superb again, and Téméraire 98, bearing each the flag of Rear-Admiral R. G. Keats, Atlas 74, Capt. Jas. Sanders, Milford 74, Hibernia 120, Centaur 74, all flag-ships of Sir R. G. Keats, Lacedemonian 38, Capt. Sam. Jackson, and Bellerophon 74, bearing the flag again of Sir R. G. Keats. Besides visiting the Mediterranean and Newfoundland, Mr. Hall served (while in the Superb) and was earnestly recommended to notice for his exertions in a battery before Flushing; [1] and he had charge (during his attachment to the Téméraire and Atlas) of the Bouncer gun-brig at the defence of Cadiz, where he was severely wounded. He afterwards, from Oct. 1814 until Jan. 1816, commanded the Sabine and Jalouse sloops, on the Halifax and Jamaica stations; but has not, since the latter date, been afloat. Commander Hall married, in 1816, Ann, youngest daughter of Peter Churchill, Esq., of Dawlish, co. Devon.


  1. Vide Gaz. 1803, p. 1327.