HOSTE. 103 



29. WILLIAM HOSTE. 



SIR WILLIAM HOSTE was born at Ingoldsthorpe, England, August 26, 1780. 

 He entered the navy at 13 years of age under Nelson's special care. He was present 

 at the battle of the Nile as lieutenant of the Theseus and after that battle was 

 appointed commander and, in 1802, post captain. He continued operations in 

 the Mediterranean and Adriatic until the end of his active career. From 1808 

 to 1814 he was watching for or righting the French in the Adriatic and made a 

 fortune from "prizes" of war. In 1811 his force of 4 frigates was attacked by 

 a French squadron of six frigates and five small vessels; but Hoste, by his superior 

 gunnery and maneuvering, defeated the enemy. He married Harriet, third daughter 

 of Horatio, Earl of Orford, by whom he had 3 sons and 3 daughters. He died 

 December 1828. 



The traits that determined Hoste's success were: 



Restless activity. As a boy he was ever restless and buoyant; however, it is 

 stated that he did not strongly prefer the navy but was placed in it by his parents. 

 His favorite recreations were hunting and gunning, and these he continued to 

 enjoy to the end of his life. In service he was ever active and vigilant. His brother 

 Edward made an excellent sailor. He had an exceptional insight into the best 

 way to meet a given naval situation, just as his brother George, a distinguished 

 army engineer, was successful in meeting engineering problems. 



Hoste was good-natured and generous. These traits endeared him to all 

 who knew him. On shipboard he was universally beloved and followed with 

 enthusiasm. 



FAMILY HISTORY OF SIB WILLIAM HOSTE. 



I 1 (F F F), James Hoste, of Dutch ancestry. I 2 (F F M), Anne Burleigh. 



II 1 (F F), Theodore Hoste. II 2 (F M), Mary Hilmore. II 3 (M F), Henry Stanforth. 



III 1 (F), Dixon Hoste, rector of Godwick and Sittershall. 

 Ill 2 (M), Margaret Stanforth. Ill 3 (consort's F), Horatio 

 Walpole, first Earl of Orford. 



Fraternity of Propositus: IV 1, George Hoste, received his 

 commission in the corps of engineers in 1802; in 1805 he went 

 with an expedition to Gibraltar and Italy and saw active service. 

 Later he was present at the taking of Alexandria in Egypt. In 

 1810 he served at sea with Captain Brenton; during his service in 

 Holland, in 1813, he obtained the brevet rank of major. He 

 greatly distinguished himself at the battle of Waterloo, where 

 he was attached to the Prince of Orange's corps (first) as com- IV* Q ffl O y[ 

 manding engineer, and was made C. B. He served on various 

 military committees. IV 2, Dixon Hoste (1779-1805), was 

 educated for the church and took a senior optime degree at 

 Cambridge; was elected fellow of Trinity but soon after died of 

 consumption. He was a young man of brilliant ability and promise. IV 4, Edward Hoste, went 

 into the navy, serving under his brother; in 1813 he was appointed acting lieutenant of the brig 

 Wizard. IV 5 (Propositus), SIB WILLIAM HOSTE. IV 6 (consort), Harriet Walpole. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY. 



HOSTE, MBS. W. 1883. Memoirs and Letters of Captain Sir William Hoste. London: R. Bentley. 

 2 vols. 



