Royal Naval Biography/Paterson, William

2233020Royal Naval Biography — Paterson, WilliamJohn Marshall


WILLIAM PATERSON, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1810.]

A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath; and President of the Civil Court at Newfoundland, for the adjudication of all disputes respecting the Fisheries on the coast of Labrador.

Son of George Paterson, of Castle Huntley, in Perthshire, Esq., by Anne, youngest daughter of John, 12th Baron Gray, in the Scotch Peerage.

This officer entered the navy at an early age, under the auspices of Sir Alexander Cochrane; and served as a midshipman on board his patron’s flag-ship, the Northumberland 74, at the Leeward Islands; where he was rapidly advanced to the rank he at present enjoys. The dates of his respective commissions are as follow:–

Lieutenant, Feb. 18, 1805; Commander, April 9, 1808; Captain, July 16, 1810.

At the close of the war with France, in 1814, Captain Paterson commanded the Myrmidon of 20 guns: his subsequent appointments were – April 25, 1815, to the Eridanus frigate; and. Mar. 6, 1816, to the Minden 74, fitting for the flag of Sir Richard King, commander-in-chief on the East India station.

Previous to his proceeding thither. Captain Paterson accompanied Lord Exmouth to Algiers, where the Minden sustained a loss of 7 killed and 37 wounded, on the memorable 27th Aug. 1816[1]. For this service he was nominated a C.B. on the 21st of the following month.

The Minden returned home from India, Oct. 16, 1820; and was shortly afterwards put out of commission. Captain Paterson received his present civil appointment in April 1825.

Agent.– Sir F. M. Ommanney.



  1. See Vol. I., Part I, p. 227. N.B. Sir Richard King had previously proceeded to his command in the Magicienne frigate. Captain J. B. Purvis.