2108134Royal Naval Biography — Swiney, WilliamJohn Marshall


WILLIAM SWINEY, ESQ.
Admiral of the Red.


This officer was promoted to the rank of Post-Captain, May 2, 1779, and commanded the Royal Oak, of 74 guns, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot, when that officer encountered M. de Ternay, off Cape Henry, March 16, 1781[1], on which occasion the Royal Oak had three men wounded. Captain Swiney afterwards commanded the Assurance, of 44 guns, on the New York station, under the orders of Admiral Digby. He was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral, Feb. 20, 1797; Vice-Admiral, Jan. 1st, 1801; and Admiral, April 28th, 1808. He is, we believe, a brother of Sidney Swiney, Esq., Purser, R.N. His sister was married to the late Sir B. Turner, whom she survived.