From O'Byrne's Naval Biography Vol. 1, 1849 (Public Record Office library 359.092)

CRISPIN. (COMMANDER, 1844.)

WILLIAM CRISPIN, born 6 July, 1803, is son of Capt. Benj. Crispin, R.N. (1813), who served as Midshipman of the ORION 74, and QUEEN 98, in the actions of Howe and Bridport-was promoted to the rank of Commander for his conduct, as First-Lieutenant of the CAESAR 80, on the occasion of Sir Rich. Strachan's capture of the four line-of-battle ships escaped from Trafalgar, 4 Nov. 1805-and died 7 March, 1836.

This officer entered the Navy, (from the Royal Naval College,) in Nov. 1818, as Midshipman, on board the HYPERION 42, Capt. Thos. Searle, in which frigate he proceeded to South America. We next find him serving, in the Channel and off Newfoundland, on board the CAMELION 10, Capt. Wm. Jas. Mingaye, and RANGER 26, Capt. Peter Fisher; and afterwards in the West Indies, as Mate of the GLOUCESTER 74, Capt. Sir Edw. W. C. R. Owen, LION schooner, Lieut.-Commander Wm. Hobson, and RATTLESNAKE 26, Capt. Hugh Patton. In consideration of his gallant services against the pirates of Cuba when in the LION, Mr. Crispin was rewarded with a commission dated 4 Oct. 1825. After serving some time in the ICARUS 10, Capt. John Geo. Graham, he was appointed to a station in the Coast Guard 4 April, 1829, and subsequently invested with the command-22 March and 19 Sept. 1833, of the ROSE and SWALLOW Revenue vessels-30 July, 1835, again of a Coast Guard station- and, 25 March, 1837, of the VULCAN, a steam-cruizer. For services rendered to the Revenue during that period, Mr. Crispin was promoted to his present rank 5 Jan. 1844. He has been in command, since 1 Jan. 1845, of the VICTORIA AND ALBERT steam-yacht, Capt. Lord Adolphus FitzClarence.

He married, 15 April, 1845, Caroline Busfeild Ferrand, daughter of the late C. F. Busfeild, Esq.,of Cottinglay Bridge, co. York, and by that lady, who died 13 Feb. 1846, had issue. AGENTS-Hallett and Robinson.