A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Wilson, George (b)

2010299A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Wilson, George (b)William Richard O'Byrne

WILSON. (Lieutenant, 1815. f-p., 8; h-p., 32.)

George Wilson (b) entered the Navy, 18 March, 1807, as A.B., on board the Texel 64, Capts. Donald Campbell and Jas. Giles Vashon, stationed in the North Sea; where he attained the rating of Master’s Mate in the following June, and became, in Oct. of the same year, Acting-Master of the Childers sloop of 14 12-pounder carronades and 65 men, Capts.Thos. Innes, Wm. Henry Dillon, Fras. John Nott, and Joseph Packwood. Under Capt. Dillon he assisted, 14 March, 1808, in driving on shore, after a gallant action, continued with intervals for six hours, the Danish man-of-war brig Lougen, of 20 guns and 160 men; so battered however was the Childers, that she narrowly escaped foundering: her loss amounted to 2 men killed and 8 wounded. For his conduct Capt. Dillon was advanced to Post-rank. On 19 Oct. following Mr. Wilson, then under the command of Capt. Packwood, contributed to the capture of the Frenskernsten Danish privateer of 4 guns, 2 swivels, and 21 men. In Jan. 1811 he removed as Master’s Mate to the Mermaid 32, Capts. Hon. Wm. Henry Percy and David Dunn; and while in that ship, in which he remained until Nov. 1814, he was employed in conveying troops to Portugal and Spain, and was present, in 1813, at the siege of Trieste and in the unsuccessful attack upon Leghorn. On leaving her he was received as a Supernumerary on board the Prince Frederick, Capt. Rich. Pridham, stationed at Plymouth. H e was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant 15 Feb. 1815; and has since been on half-pay.

He is now a Collector of Customs in Upper Canada.