To be completed

Administrative / biographical background
William Waldegrave was born in 1753 and entered the Navy in 1766, aboard the JERSEY. He was made Lieutenant in 1772 and captain in 1776, when in the RIPPON he joined Sir Edward Vernon in the East Indies. After 15 months his health broke down and he returned to England. In September 1778 he was sent to the West Indies in the POMONA and the following year captured the large American privateer, CUMBERLAND. He then transferred to the frigate LA PRUDENTE and with the assistance of the frigate LICORNE, captured the large French Frigate CAPRICIEUSE after adesperate action of four hours. In 1782 he commanded the frigate PHAETON before coming ashore at the peace of 1783. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary war he was appointed to the COURAGEUX (74) and was made Rear Admiral the following year. He then commanded a small squadron in the channel before being made Vice Admiral in 1795, when he joined Sir John Jervis in the Mediterranean. In 1797 he was Jervis' third in command at the battle of Cape St Vincent. For the next 3 years he was governor and commander in chief of the Newfoundland station and colony. He was made Admiral in 1802 but saw no further action. He died in 1825, having been made First Baron Radstock in the Irish peerage for his services in Newfoundland.