Pullen, William

PULLEN, William John, Vice-Admiral
b. 04 Dec 1813, Devonport, Devon, England
d. 22 Jan 1887 (aged 73), England
Immigration 20 Apr 1836 Rapid (2nd mate)

William John Pullen was born in about 1813 and spent some years in the navy, before resigning and joining the South Australian Company as an officer and assistant-surveyor. He sailed on the Rapid with Colonel William Light. His diary reveals him to be a well-educated and thoughtful young man, who clearly enjoyed the adventure of exploring a new country. Along with Light and another officer/surveyor William Field he examined the coastline up the Gulf of St Vincent from Rapid Bay searching for fresh water and for the harbour that had been noted by a certain Captain Jones some time earlier. He remained in South Australia for some years, settling near Encounter Bay, before returning to the navy. He qualified as a master mariner in 1844 and was promoted to the rank of commander in 1850. From 1852-4 he took part in the search for John Franklin in the Arctic. He retired after a long career with the rank of vice-admiral and died in 1887.

- http://boundforsouthaustralia.net.au/journey-content/william-pullen.html

See article on the delivery of a portrait to the Adelaide council, with a brief biography:

ADMIRAL PULLEN. (1883, April 21). South Australian Weekly Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1881 - 1889), p. 9. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92715887