William spent most of his early life in Richmond and at Kew Palace, where he was educated by private tutors.Ziegler, pp. 13–19. At the age of thirteen, he joined the Royal Navy as a midshipman,Ziegler, pp. 23–31. in Admiral Digby's squadron. For four years the lieutenant of his watch was Richard Goodwin Keats, with whom he formed a life-long friendship and whom he described as the one to whom he owed all his professional knowledge. He was present at the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1780,Allen, p. 29 and Ziegler, p. 32. when the San Julián struck her colours to his ship. His experiences in the navy seem to have been little different from those of other midshipmen, though in contrast to other sailors he was accompanied on board ship by a tutor. He did his share of the cookingZiegler, p. 29. and got arrested with his shipmates after a drunken brawl in Gibraltar; he was hastily released from custody after his identity became known.Ziegler, p. 33.
William spent most of his early life in Richmond and at Kew Palace where he was educated by private tutorsZiegler pp 13–19 At the age of thirteen he joined the Royal Navy as a midshipmanZiegler pp 23–31 in Admiral Digby's squadron For four years the lieutenant of his watch was Richard Goodwin Keats with whom he formed a life-long friendship and whom he described as the one to whom he owed all his professional knowledge He was present at the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1780Allen p 29 and Ziegler p 32 when the San Julián struck her colours to his ship His experiences in the navy seem to have been little different from those of other midshipmen though in contrast to other sailors he was accompanied on board ship by a tutor He did his share of the cookingZiegler p 29 and got arrested with his shipmates after a drunken brawl in Gibraltar; he was hastily released from custody after his identity became knownZiegler p 33