William Young (1761-1847)
| William Young | |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 August 1761 Borrowstoness, Scotland |
| Died | 11 February 1847 Denmark Hill, Camberwell, Surrey |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1777 – 1847 |
| Rank | Vice-Admiral of the Blue |
| Battles/wars |
|
| Awards | Order of the Crescent |
William Young (27 August 1761 – 11 February 1847) was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the American War of Independence, and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.He should not be confused with his namesake and near contemporary Vice Admiral William Young. William Young (1751-1821)
He served on several ships during the American War of Independence, rising steadily through the ranks. With the outbreak of war with Revolutionary France he was first engaged in recruiting seamen for the service, after which he became involved in the transport and logistics side of naval warfare, which was to remain his forte for the rest of his career. His service in the West Indies, in home waters and in the Mediterranean brought him to the attention of influential army and navy leaders, who helped him to find postings and be promoted. He mixed with royalty, garnering accolades for his services, and enjoyed the friendship of kings and dukes. Advanced to flag rank in the years after the end of the war, he fathered a large family, and died in 1847 after seventy years of naval service, and with the rank of Vice-Admiral of the blue.
Young was born in Borrowstoness, Scotland on 27 August 1761, the second son of David Young. William Young entered the navy on 16 May 1777 as an able seaman aboard the 50-gun HMS Portland, under Captain Thomas Dumaresq. The Portland was at this time the flagship of Vice-Admiral James Young, commanding in the Leeward Islands. Young was advanced to midshipman during his time on the Portland, and moved to the tender to the 32-gun HMS Tartar. Here he participated in the capture of over 50 vessels, including several privateers of superior force. Young was then briefly aboard the 74-gun HMS Canada, based at Chatham under Captain Hugh Dalrymple, before returning to his old captain, Thomas Dumaresq, in May 1779 as master's mate aboard HMS Ulysses, a frigate armed en flûte and serving in home waters and in the West Indies.
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