Henry Williams 1806 1815

edmondsallan - Good morning . Continuing about " Henry Williams ". Most people know about his missionary years and his misionary work in Northland . Very few know about this gentleman's ' Naval Career ' or his study of " Medicine and Surgery " or his boat building capabilities. Lets take his ' Naval ' career first .

As a midshipman he served under several different commanders , and his naval record shows , he had potential for higher command . As he progressed he was given advanced duties , he became an expert in gunnery and skilled in training the men in this harsh job. It was said he was ruthless to the men under him in battle and was fearless himself . He was cited for his courage , two times in boarding parties in battle . The first hint of his courage was in 1807 ( his age was 15 )
They were attacking to capture the Danish fleet . When his commanding officer got killed . He rallied the boarding crew and charged over the deck of the " Danish Commanders Ship " attacked his officers , capturing them ,and held a sword at the " Danish Admiral's Throat " ordering him to order the fleets surrender . In 1811 he was serving on the " Galatea " one of 3 frigates , under the command of " Captain Schomberg. They were attacked by ( 3 ) superior , larger " French " frigates who could & did out gun them . He was badly wounded in this engagement ( aged 17 )and he neverfully recovered from those wounds all his life . Their are many more citations mentioned & documented in his " Naval " service records . He was also wounded in battles , several more times but only slightly . When the war finished in 1815 " Henry " decided to retire from the Navy on 1/2 pay . He was ( aged 23 ) The following places he fought battles in ; North sea - Baltic - several French & Spanish coast battles - Madagascar- Indian Ocean - Mauritius -- Madras - Calcutta - and some engagements off the coast of America . Quite a a " Naval " record for a lad, who at the age of 14 had been uncontrollable and by now was a very experienced in the world he lived in . He made his mother very proud of him . In fact much of his naval records were kept by her until she died .--- time for a cuppa - see you soon - regards
edmondsallan