Letter written by William King Hall, whilst on leave, to Captain The Hon'ble George Elliot CB, First Secretary to the Admiralty. The spelling and punctuation is as found in the original.[ADM1/4755 f302]
WKH TO FIRST SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY
51 Prince Georges Street, Portsea
May
Sir
Having heard of your kindness to junior officers in his Majesty’s Service I am taking the liberty of addressing you. My case I think has been before your notice before Sir, viz that of removing me from the 2nd Class to the 1st. I would not so far trespass on you, but having just left the Mediterranean Station where 2 or 3 similarly situated to myself have thru your kindness been removed to the first class and obtained their time, 2 of whom passed in October last, tempts me to pray you crave Their Lordships to consent and honor me so far as to appoint me to HMS Portland. Unfortunately Sir my time in the Service has been so short a duration that I have not had an opportunity of distinguishing myself being only 4 years and eight months, having entered the Service on September 22nd 1829. in HMS Rapid in which vessel I served 3 years and 2 months with Commander Swinburne, who tried before you came to the Admiralty and before the new Regulations came out, 6 months in HMS Scylla with Captn Hindmarch and 11 months in the HMS Barham with Capt Pigot, from which vessel I have paid off and thru my strict attendance to my duty am happy in being able to refer you, Sir, to them for my character and which I am sure will prove satisfactory. I hope, Sir, you will excuse the following remarks - from a clause in the Regulations, in 'no person shall be able to be rated Midshipman until he be 14 years of age and have served 2 years at sea at Vol 1st class or College Volunteer or 3 years in any other capacity'. Hope you will so far honour me with my request as it is a favor that I should feel to the day of my death. My father is an old officer in His Majesty’s service and is now Surgeon in the Andromache. To you, honourable Sir, I look to and hope you will be graciously pleased to recommend the case to Their Lordships Consideration. If I have in any way offended you by writing this letter - pray forgive me and ascribe to an inexperienced letter writer.
I remain Sir Your Obedient and humble servant and Petitioner
William King Hall
Late of HMS Barham.
Master’s Asst.
MINUTES WRITTEN ON ABOVE LETTER BY FIRST SECRETARY AND STAFF_
What is his case?
He entered the Service as a Vol of 2nd Class in 1829 and wishes to be now rated as Midshipman and appd to the Portland. The Regulations in 1824 respecting Volunteers of 2nd Class expressly states that their promotion will (except in extraordinary cases) be confined to the line of Masters.
Obviously unaware of his reputaion and not feeling very benevolent, the First Secretary minuted.
Acquaint him Their Lordships can not comply. 10 May 1834
JHP
Undeterred by the decision of Their Lordships William wrote a second letter after he had joined HMS Childers on the 23rd May. Again he wrote direct to the First Secretary.
TO FIRST SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY
Sir
I beg most respectfully to state that it appears by the Kings Regulations Page 20 Article 26 that a person may be rated Midmn after having served 3 years in any capacity and as I have completed that time I solicit you will be pleased to request Their Lordships to grant permission in the event of my being able to obtain a vacancy on the station to which the Childers is about to proceed, to authorise the same, provided the Captains have no objection. I am Sir
Your obedient and humble servant
William King Hall
Masters Assistant
Paddle Sloop Childers
Capt Honble George Elliott CB
Admiralty
London
SECOND SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY TO THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF PORTSMOUTH
HM Steam Vessel Flamer
Falmouth
30 June 1834
Sir
My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having received an application from Mr W.K. Hall Master’s Assistant of the Childers, requesting to be rated as a Midshipman. I am commanded to signify their Lordships directions to you to cause Mr Hall to be informed that his letter should be forwarded in the usual way by his Captain.
J Barrow
Admiral Sir Thos Williams GCB
Portsmouth
Suitably reprimanded William now forwards his second letter through his Captain to the Commander in Chief, Sir Thomas Williams. On the 3 July 1834 in his letter No 471 the Commander in Chief forwards William’s application to the Admiralty, giving it his support.
The next day the Secretary of the Admiralty makes the following reply.
SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY TO COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF PORTSMOUTH
4th July 1834
Sir,
With reference your letter No 471 of yesterday’s date with its enclosure from Commander the Honorable Henry Keppel of the Childers transmitting an application from Mr William K. Hall Master’s Assistant of that sloop to be rated as Midshipman in the event of a vacancy offering on the station to which Childers is about to proceed I am commanded to acquaint you that their Lordships have no objection to Mr Hall being thus rated in any ship the Captain of which will apply to him.
J Barrow
Admiral Sir Thomas Williams GCB
Portsmouth
At first sight it would appear that the Secretary of the Admiralty had reversed his earlier decision. This is not quite true. Initially William had asked to be rated as Midshipman in a ship in home waters. The Admiralty had now said that they had no objection if he was rated Midshipman in a ship serving in the Mediterranean, where the Childers was due to sail. On foreign stations the local Commander-in-Chief had the authority to make the final decision on matters of this nature.
SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY TO CAPTAIN CHETHAM, HMS TALAVERA
3 Feby 1835
Sir, With reference to the last return of Quarterdeck Petty Officers serving on board the Talavera under your command, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to call to your attention to the name of Mr William K. Hall who is reported as a Midshipman of the Talavera, and as the only person of this name appears by the books of this office to be a Master’s Assistant of the Childers, their Lordships desire that you will state by what authority Mr Hall has been entered as a Midshipman of the Talavera.
I am etc,
George Dawson
Capt Chetham
HMS Talavera
Devonport
CHETHAM TO CAPT DAWSON FIRST SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY
(Rcd 8 Feb 1835) 6 Feb 1835
Sir
In reply to your letter of the 3rd inst respecting Mr Hall’s rating as Midmn I beg to transmit to you the two enclosures, the memorandum from the Port Admiral for the time, is a copy of the original which Captn Keppel has in his possession, and I saw previous to applying for him.
I have the honour to be Sir,
your most Obedient, humble servant
E Chetham, Captain
To: Right Honble G R Dawson
Enclosure to Captain Chatham’s letter dated 6 Feb 1835
Enclosure:
ADM JOS ROWLEY. 2nd IN CMD MED FLEET TO CAPT CHETHAM, HMS TALAVARA.
Caledonia in Vourla bay 28th Nov 1834
Memo
In compliance with your request of this day’s date I have to acquaint you that you have my permission to enter as Midshipman of the ship you command, the gentleman named in the margin.
Margin:
Mr W K Hall
late Master’s assistant
Captain Chetham CB
His Majesty’s Ship
J Rowley Vice Admiral
Talavera
FIRST SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALRT G R DAWSON TO WKH
26 March 1835
Acqntd in answer to Letter dated 24 inst requesting an appointment, that he should apply to some Captain, as their lordships do not interfere in the appointment of Midshipmen, and further that those Midshipmen who have served are only qualified for the Excellent.
G R Dawson
Mr Wm King Hall
Midman
Boley Hill
Rochester
FIRST SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY TO WKH
30 Apr 1835
Mr William King Hall
Acquainted in answer to letter of instant requesting to be appointed as Midshipman of a ship to enable him to complete his time for passing, that he must apply to the Captain of ships in commission.
C Wood
50 St Georges Square
Portsea
William obtained an appointment as a Midshipman to HMS Viper, which he joined on the 13th May. He was now on the first rung of a promotion ladder that was to take him to the rank of Admiral and Commander-in-Chief, Sheerness, 42 years later. It had been a remarkable achievement for a young man of nineteen, whose family had no wealth or Influence.