William Albany Otway

Extract from

'The Naval Gazetteer, Biographer and Chronologist'

compiled and arranged by J W Norrie. Published by Charles Wilson, 157 Leadenhall Street, London. Pages 344-345

containing A History of the Late Wars
from Their Commencement in 1793, to their conclusion in 1801
and from their Recommencement in 1803, to their final conclusion in 1815
compiled by J.W.Norrie in London at 157 Leadenhall St. in 1842
(Price Ten Shilllings and sixpence)

OTWAY, Vice-Admiral William Albany, was born in 1756 and descended from an ancient family of that name, originally residing in the West Riding of Yorkshire. He entered the service at nine years of age, and after being on board different ships, was made lieutenant by Sir Robert Harland, in the East Indies, in 1772, and served in the Lark frigate, Capt. Rd. Smith, on the American station. He was appointed to the command of the Goat Island battery, for the defence of the town and harbour of Newport; and for his meritorious conduct on this service, was honoured with the thanks of Lord Howe. He was present in different actions fought with Count de Grasse; was made post December 1, 1787; and in 1788 appointed to command the Pegasus on the Newfoundland Station. He commanded the Ganges in the battle of Copenhagen, which ship bore a distinguished part on that glorious day. Capt. Otway was afterwards appointed one of the commissioners of the Transport Board; in 1802 one of the commissioners for the navy for the Mediterranean, which situation, 1804, he resigned, and coming home, was appointed one of the commissioners of the Board of Naval Inquiry. He was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral of the blue, October 2, 1807; immediately after which he hoisted his flag, and served in the Ganges and Harfleur, as second in command under Adm. Cotton. In 1809 he was second in command on board the Caesar, under Sir Rd. J. Strachan, on the Scheldt expedition; on his return, he was appointed commander-in-chief on the Thames, and soon after the same post in Scotland. He was made rear of the white, April 1808; rear of the red, July 1810; vice of the blue, August 1, 1811; and vice of the white, June 4, 1814; he died in August 1815.

( A letter from Naval Historical Library, Ministry of Defence) states that he died 30 july 1815 at Ryde, Isle of White.

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