► William Loney R.N. ► Documents ► Admiralty correspondence
This pamphlet was privately printed by William Loney in 1864 (and is now preserved in ADM 105/75 at folio 198); it was apparently part of his continuing campaign to gain promotion.
STATEMENT.
Appointed by the Board of Admiralty ASSISTANT-SURGEON of H.M. sloop Wanderer, Commander the Hon. Jos. Denman, at Sheerness, on the 19th of Nov. 1839, and proceeded in her to the west coast of Africa.
A vacancy taking place in the Persian, and Capt. Denman being senior officer present, I was appointed Acting-surgeon of that vessel at Ascension, on Sept. 15, 1840.
Superseded from the Persian on Jan. 9, 1841, by the senior officer on the coast of Africa (Commander Tucker) in favour of Mr. Brenan, an officer of longer standing, and appointed vice Brenan, to the medical charge of the Dolphin.
The following copies of Certificates testify to my service in that vessel. But I would refer more particularly to the copy of a letter which Commander Littlehales felt it to be his duty to write to the Medical Director-General (see page 9), after the vessel had been paid off: showing that I volunteered to go up the River Niger in the Wilberforce, and pressed my services upon the senior officer, at a period when none of the medical officers of the Expedition were in a position to serve. And when the Wilberforce did go up the River a second time, a civilian surgeon from Fernando Po was employed to serve in her for the occasion. The letter further bears testimony to the fact, that I rendered essential service to the expedition. The Dolphin anchored off the mouth of the Niger, received a large number of sick from H.M.S. Soudan, for passage to Ascension, thus entailing upon me an amount of duty in connection with the Expedition equal to any which others may have performed.
TESTIMONIAL, No. I - Copy.
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"These are to certify the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Mr. Wm. Loney served as Assistant-surgeon (in charge) on board H.M.B. Dolphin, under my command, from the 9th day of January, 1841, to the date hereof, during which time he conducted himself with diligence, sobriety, and attention, and was always obedient to command.
"Given under my hand on board H.M. brigantine Dolphin, |
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"I wish most especially to express the high opinion I cannot but entertain of the professional abilities, humanity, and attention of Mr. Loney, particularly during the three weeks that thirty-six of the Niger Expedition sick were on board the Dolphin for passage to Ascension.
(Signed) Ed. Littlehales." |
Captain Littlehales left the vessel on promotion, and was succeeded by Lieut. Cumberland. The latter was superseded by Lieut. Bisson from England, who died on the passage home, when Mr. Collier paid the vessel off.
No. II - Copy.
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"These are to certify my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Mr. William Loney served as Assistant-surgeon (in charge) on board H.M. brigantine Dolphin under my command, from the 5th day of May, 1842, to the date hereof, during which time he conducted himself with diligence, sobriety, and attention, and was always obedient to command.
"Given under my hand on board the Dolphin, |
No. III - Copy.
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"These are to certify the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Mr. William Loney, Assistant-surgeon, served on board H.M. B. Dolphin, from the 22nd of July to the date hereof, during which time he conducted himself with diligence, sobriety, and attention, and was always obedient to command.
"Given under my hand, on board the Dolphin, |
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"Halford and Company, "Knowing the interest you feel in the character of the Medical Officers serving under your department, I take the liberty of introducing to your notice that of Mr. W. Loney, late Assistant-surgeon of H.M.B. Dolphin, when under my command. "To a most unwearied zeal, kindness, and attention, he united great professional talent, as far as a person unacquainted with medical science could judge from (under Providence) a remarkably successful treatment of the very numerous cases of African fever, and other diseases, at various times under his care, but more particularly when the Dolphin had on board, for no little period, thirty-six of the sick belonging to the Niger expedition. My humble testimony of his conduct on that occasion cannot be too strong. By his incessant attention night and day, he was quite worn out, and I was apprehensive he would have suffered from his great humanity. I beg also to state that Mr. Loney volunteered for the Wilberforce, at the time when it was the full intention of Captain Allen to proceed a second time up the Niger, both to that officer in person, and by writing as well to Captain Foote, the senior officer on the west coast of Africa, - by a written application conveyed and urged by myself, as also by Captain William Allen, which, from circumstances, the senior officer did not think proper to comply with. "On the paying off of H.M.B. Dolphin, the Ship's Company presented him with a Sword and Epaulette as a testimony of their estimation of his uniformly kind and attentive conduct. "I have the honor to be, Sir Inspector-General Of Hospitals and Fleets. |
Appointed assistant-surgeon of the Woolwich Division of Royal Marines, on the 20th February, 1843: and the following certificates testify to my services at the Royal Marine Infirmary and Naval Hospital at Woolwich.
No. V - Copy.
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Royal Marine Infirmary and Hospital, Woolwich, (Signed) H. Parkin, Surgeon and Deputy Inspector" |
The next has just been received from Sir James Prior.
No. VI - Copy.
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"July 18, 1864. "I beg to certify that Dr. Wm. Loney, Staff-surgeon Royal Navy, served under me as Assistant-surgeon of Woolwich Hospital from the 1st of August, 1843, till the 23rd of February, 1845; and performed his duty so ably and attentively, that I have great pleasure in recommending him for such appointment or promotion as it may please the Admiralty authorities to bestow.(Signed) James Prior, R.N., Deputy Inspector of Hospitals and Fleets." |
Feeling disappointed at not obtaining promotion for services rendered to the Niger expedition, and believing that an early promotion to the rank of Surgeon would hasten my future advancement to the higher grades of the profession, I voluntarily, and of my own free notion, relinquished my marine appointment, and proceeded to the west coast of Africa, as a supernumerary assistant-surgeon.
The next series of certificates will exhibit my second period of service on that station.
No. VII - Copy.
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"This is to certify to the Lords of the Admiralty, that Dr. William Loney served as additional Assistant-surgeon of Her Majesty's ship under my command, from the 23rd day of February, 1845, to the date hereof, (and did duty as such on board from the date of his appearance at Sierra Leone, the 24th day of May, 1845), during which time he conducted himself with diligence, sobriety, and attention, and was always obedient to command.
"Given under my hand on board the Penelope, at Ascension, |
No. VIII - Copy.
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"These to certify the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Dr. William Loney served as additional Assistant-Surgeon of this ship, from the 23rd February to the 29th of July, 1845, and did duty as such on board from the date of his joining at Sierra Leone, viz. 24th May. During which time he conducted himself with the strictest propriety, and showed much zeal and ability in the performance of his duties, and much kindness and humanity in his attention to the sick.
"Given on board H.M.S. Penelope, at Ascension, |
On the 29th July, 1845, Commodore Jones appointed me Acting-Surgeon of H.M.S. Pantaloon, at Ascension; and on the 1st of November following, the Board confirmed me in the rank of Surgeon.
No. IX - Copy.
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"This is to certify the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Dr. William Loney has served as Surgeon of Her Majesty's sloop Pantaloon, under my command, from the 30th of July, 1845, to the date hereof, during which period he has complied with his general printed instructions.
"Given under my hand, on board Her Majesty's sloop Pantaloon, |
Invalided at Ascension Hospital, on the 11th of May, 1846, for illness, - the result of "protracted service on the coast," and recommended to return to England for the "re-establishment of my health." Came home passenger in H.M.S. Vixen, and landed at Portsmouth on the 1st of July following.
Early in February, 1847, I tendered my services to the "Director-General" of the Medical Department of the Navy, in the event of naval surgeons being employed in Ireland, in alleviating the distresses of the inhabitants, and received an acknowledgment, which was quickly succeeded by another letter, as follows :-
No. X - Copy.
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"Admiralty, "As your services may shortly be required in Ireland, I have to desire that you will hold yourself in readiness to proceed immediately you are required to do so ; and that you will acknowledge the receipt of this letter by return of Post. "I am, Sir, |
Ten days later the following was received from the office of the Director-General:-
No. XI - Copy.
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"Admiralty, "I am directed by Sir Wm. Burnett to inform you, that your services may be required in Ireland at the shortest notice; and to signify his desire that you will hold yourself prepared accordingly. "I am, Sir, |
On the 14th of April following I received a Letter of Instructions from the Secretary of the "British Association for the Relief of the extreme Distress in Ireland and Scotland," and my appointment as one of their agents in Ireland, with charge of the counties of Sligo and Leitrim and the Barony of Boyle in Roscommon.
The manner in which the duties of Agent were performed by me, the following letters will show:-
No. XII - Copy.
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"Admiralty, "I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith, a copy of a Letter from the Secretary to the British Relief Association, dated 14th instant, expressing the acknowledgment of the Committee for the services of the Officers of the Royal Navy employed in carrying out the objects of the Association in Ireland, and my Lords direct me to convey to you the expression of their great satisfaction at this Report, and to inform you that a Note of the services you have rendered, and the qualifications you have exhibited, whilst executing such services, will be made in this Office in your favour. "I am, Sir, H.M.S. Amphitrite, Portsmouth. |
No. XIII - Copy.
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"British Association for the Relief of the Extreme Distress in Ireland & Scotland. "I am directed by the Committee of this Association to report that you will be pleased to lay before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, this expression of grateful acknowledgment for the permission granted to officers in the Naval Service of Her Majesty, to act in Ireland under the instructions of this Committee, and in furtherance of the objects of the British Association. As the Committee have deemed it expedient to suspend their operations for the present, and have consequently directed the recall of all the officers employed as their agents in Ireland, they think it right to take this opportunity of expressing the strongest testimony in their power to the energy, zeal, and activity, which have characterised the service of the Naval Officers, who undertook the duty of their agents. "Acting in the true and highest spirit of benevolence, they have in the cause of their duty been exposed to much danger, privation, and suffering, in their endeavours to relieve, as far as lay in their power, the pressure of extreme distress in the districts to which they were severally sent, they have now returned, having fulfilled all the objects of their mission with the utmost ability and discretion. "This Committee feel that they have no means of rewarding such services, but take the liberty of expressing their high admiration of them, in the hope that the conduct of the Naval Officers who have been so employed may not be deemed unworthy of the approbation of their Lordships the Commissioners of the Admiralty. "I have, etc., etc., |
At the conclusion of the Relief Service in Ireland, I was appointed Surgeon of H.M.S. Amphitrite, - Capt. Thos. Rodney Eden, and proceeded for the third time to the west coast of Africa, finishing the commission with the Pacific Station.
The lamented death of Capt. Eden, at Mazatlan, unhappily obliges me to present other Certificates with his, for my service in the Amphitrite.
No. XIV - Copy.
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"This is to certify the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Dr. Wm. Loney, Surgeon, has served on board H.M. ship Amphitrite, under my command, from the 16th day of July, 1847, to the date hereof, during which time he has complied with the General Printed Instructions.
"Given under my hand on board H.M.S. Amphitrite, coast of Africa, 30th June, 1848. |
No. XV - Copy.
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"This is to certify the Lords of the Admiralty, that Dr. Wm. Loney, Surgeon, served on board H.M. S. Amphitrite, under my command, from the 1st of July, 1813, to the date hereof, during which time he has complied with the General Printed Instructions.
"Given under my hand, on board H.M.S. Amphitrite at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, |
No. XVI - Copy.
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"This is to certify to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Dr. William. Loney, served as Surgeon on board H.M. ship under my command, from the 16th day of July, 1847, to the date hereof, during which time he complied with the General Printed Instructions.
"Given under my hand, on board H. M. S. Amphitrite, at Valparaiso, |
No. XVII - Copy.
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"This is to certify to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Dr. Wm. Loney served as Surgeon on board H.M.S. Amphitrite, under my command, from the 21st of April, 1850, to the date hereof, during which time he complied with the General Printed Instructions.
"Given under my hand, on board H.M. S. Amphitrite, at Portsmouth, |
My next appointment was to the "Apollo" troop-ship, for the last few months of a Commission. The ship was not such a one as I might reasonably have expected, but it was a question of no ship or that ship, and I chose the latter rather than lose time.
The following is the Certificate for that period :-
No. XVIII - Copy.
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"These are to certify the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Dr. Wm. Loney, Surgeon, served on board H.M. troop-ship Apollo, under my command, from the 22nd of Jan. 1851, to the date hereof, during which time he complied with the General Printed Instructions.
"Given under my hand, on board H.M S. Apollo, |
With six months compulsory half-pay time, between the paying off from the Amphitrite and the appointment to the Apollo, I was now subjected to a further loss of six months' time before I could get a ship, and again I was obliged to take what offered, although to an officer of my antecedents, the movement was clearly retrograde, and the appointment a virtual banishment to the Cape and east-coast of Africa, during a most interesting period in European history.
Three different officers commanded the Hydra at different periods during this Commission, as shown by the subjoined Certificates:
No. XIX. - Copy.
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"These are to certify the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Dr. Wm. Loney served as Surgeon on board H. M. steam sloop Hydra, under my command, from the 17th day of January, 1852, to the date hereof, during which time he complied with the General Printed Instructions.
"Given under my hand, on board the Hydra, |
No. XX - Copy.
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"These are to certify the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Dr. Wm. Loney, served as Surgeon on board H.M. steam sloop Hydra, under my command, from the llth day of August, 1852, to the date hereof, during which time he complied with the General Printed Instructions.
"Given under my hand, on board the Hydra, |
No. XXI.- Copy.
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"These are to certify the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Dr. Wm. Loney served as Surgeon of H.M. steam sloop Hydra, under my command, from the 21st of January, 1853, to the date hereof, during which time he complied with the General Printed Instructions.
"Given under my hand, on board the Hydra, |
Paying off in May, I was kept on half-pay until the end of the year, and then appointed to the Coast-Guard ship in Southampton Water, and served there for the term of three years,
The following is a Copy of Captain Heath's Certificate for the period: -
No. XXII - Copy.
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"Dated 16th January, 1860. "This is to certify that Dr. Win. Loney has served as Surgeon on board H.M. ships Melampus, Arrogant, and Dauntless, under my command, from the 17th day of December, 1856, to the 16th day of January, 1860, during which period he has conducted himself in every way to my satisfaction.(Signed) L.G. Heath, Captain." |
Again, another period of six months' compulsory half-pay, and I was appointed to the Emerald in the Channel Squadron. The following is Captain Cumming's Certificate of my service in that ship: -
No. XXIII - Copy.
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Dated at Devonport. "This is to certify that Dr. Wm. Loney has served as Surgeon on board Her Majesty's ship Emerald, under my command, from the 16th day of July, 1860, to the 25th day of March, 1861, during which period he has conducted himself with sobriety, and to my entire satisfaction,(Signed) Arthur Cumming, |
Being the senior Surgeon in the Channel Squadron, and the Emerald being, as it were, the smallest vessel, I was removed to the steam-guard ship at Sheerness. I paid off there on the 15th April, 1864, after a three years' commission, as per Certificates subjoined: -
No. XXIV - Copy.
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"Dated at Sheerness. "This is to certify, that Dr. Wm. Loney has served as Surgeon on board Her Majesty's ship Cumberland, under my command, from the 26th day of March, 1861, to the 21st day of February, 1862, during which period he has conducted himself with sobriety, and has performed his duties to my entire satisfaction.(Signed) Chs. Schomberg, Captain" |
No. XXV - Copy.
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"Dated 30th April, 1863. "This is to certify, that Dr. Wm. Loney has served as Surgeon and Staff-Surgeon on board Her Majesty's ship Cumberland, under my command, from the 22nd day of February, 1862, to the 30th day of April, 1863, during which period he has conducted himself with sobriety, zeal, and attention to his duty.(Signed) T.P. Thompson, |
No. XXVI - Copy.
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"Dated 14th April, 1864. "This is to certify, that Dr. Wm. Loney has served as Staff-Surgeon on board Her Majesty's ship Cumberland, under my command, from the 1st day of May, 1863, to the 14th day of April, 1864, during which period he has conducted himself with sobriety, and in every way to meet my entire satisfaction, manifesting at all times humane attention to those under his care, and I consider him a most skilful and most efficient officer.(Signed) Wm. King Hall, |
To this last certificate of active service, I must add one concluding statement to Captain Hall's credit. It appears that some person or persons endeavoured to prejudice him against me when he joined the Cumberland. But finding by experience that their allegations were unwarranted, he called personally on the Medical Director-General after I was paid off, and voluntarily gave, in my presence, the most complete refutation of the calumnies.
Wm. Loney,
Staff-Surgeon, R.N."
Army & Navy Club,
July 29, 1864.
LONDON, - HERBERT, PRINTER, LUPUS-STREET, PIMLICO.
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