[1764-1837]
The Duke of Clarence, was the third son of George III. In 1830 he succeeded his brother, George IV, to become William IV.
In 1779, at the age of fourteen he was sent to sea as a Midshipman. For the next ten years he led the life of a professional naval officer. During this period he saw action on several occasions and was present at Rodney's great victory of the Battle of the Saintes.
Opinions were divided as to his talents as a naval officer. Nelson, under whom he served in the West Indies, considered that he had above average ability. Their Lordships were not quite so sure. William took a dislike to Nelson's successor and sailed his ship from the West Indies to Halifax. He was then ordered to winter at Quebec, but instead, braving the winter gales, returned to England. Despite this unauthorised redeployment of their naval forces in the North Atlantic, Their Lordships gave him one more command, the frigate Andromeda. Once again his time was spent in the West Indies, but on this occasion he wintered in Jamaica, returning to England in April 1789.
In 1791, after a short interlude as a carefree bachelor during which he received his dukedom, he set up home with an actress called Mrs Jordan by whom he had ten children. On the outbreak of war with France in 1793 he offered his services to the Admiralty but they were not accepted and for the next twenty years he led the life of a country gentleman.
In 1811 the Duke was promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet and during 1814 his naval career had a final spell of activity, some of which is described in James' diaries. It was also during this period that he wrote The Remarkable Letter to Captain King.