Nesbit Josiah Willoughby, First Lieutenant

Nesbit Josiah Willoughby later in life.

WILLOUGHBY, Kt, C.B., K.C.H.
Acasta First Lieutenant, c. 1804-05, aged approx. 27 years.

Sir Nesbit Josiah Willoughby, born 29 Aug. 1777, is third son of the late Robt. Willoughby, Esq., of Cossall and Aspley Hall...

This officer entered the Navy, 12 May, 1790, as a Volunteer, on board the Latona 38, Capt. Albemarle Bertie, employed on the Home station, where, and off the American coast, he continued to serve until Jan. 1793, latterly as Midshipman, in the same ship, and in the Edgar 74, Capt. Anthony Jas. Pye Molloy, Alligator 28, Capt. Isaac Coffin, and Vengeance 74, Commodore Thos. Pasley...

...In Feb. 1805, having taken command of a merchant schooner of about 30 tons burthen, manned with three passed Midshipmen and 30 Volunteers, he entered the harbour of Santa Martha by means of a ruse de guerre for the purpose of endeavouring to effect the capture of a Spanish corvette of 20 guns and 130 men, reported to he there. Finding, however, that the vessel had sailed three days previously, he was obliged to put about, but was unable to get clear off without awakening the suspicions of the enemy, who, upon the British repassing their batteries, opened on them a fierce but fortunately a harmless fire. Mr. Willoughby's next and last appointments as Lieutenant, after his return home with Sir John Duckworth as First of the Acasta 40, were—11 Aug. 1805, to the Prince 98, Capt. Rich. Grindall—28 Dec. 1806, to the Formidable 98, Capt. Fras. Fayerman— and 15 Jan. 1807, to the Royal George 100, bearing the flag of his friend Sir J. T. Duckworth.

Source: A NAVAL BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY: COMPRISING THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF EVERY LIVING OFFICER IN HER MAJESTY'S NAVY, FROM THE RANK OF ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET TO THAT OF LIEUTENANT, INCLUSIVE. Compiled from Authentic and Family Documents. BY WILLIAM E. O'BYRNE, ESQ.
LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, PUBLISHER TO THE ADMIRALTY. 1849.