The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-05-19 00:00:00

DEATH OF ADMIRAL HEWETT.

The illness of Vice-Admiral Sir W. N. W. Hewett,
V.C., K.C.8., has terminated fatally, the gallant officer
having died shortly before midnight on Sunday in
Haslar Hospital, to which institution he had, after
consultation between his brother (Sir Prescott Hewett)
and the local medical advisers, been removed from
his residence at Southsea on Thursday of last week.
Sir William Nathan Wright Hewett was born at
Brighton on the 12th of August, 1834, and entered the
navy on the 26th of March, 1847. He became
sub-lieutenant on the 12th of May, 1853; lieu-
tenant on the 26th of October, 1854; commander
on the 13th of September, 1858; and captain
on the 24th of November, 1862; he attained
flag rank on the 21st of March, 1878, and was
promoted to the rank of vice admiral July, 1884. Few
officers in the Royal navyhave seen more service than
Sir W. Hewett. He was with the naval brigades in
Burmah and China and in the Crimea. He com-
manded the Beagle at the capture of Kertch and
Yenikale, and in the Azoff expedition. It was during
the war with Russia that the services which gained
for him the Victoria Cross were rendered, on the
occasion of a repulse of a sortie of Russians by Sir
De Lacy Evans' Division on the 26th of October,
1854. Mr. Hewett, then acting mate of her
Majesty's ship Beagle, was in charge of the Right
Lancaster Battery before Sebastopol. The advance of
the Russians placed the gun in great jeopardy, their
skirmisher; advancing within 300 yards of the
battery and pouring in a sharp fire from their Minie
rifles. By some misapprehension the word was passed
to spike the gun and retreat; but Mr. Hewett, taking
upon himself the responsibility of disregarding the
order, replied that Such an order did not come
from Captain Lushington, and he would not obey it
till it did." For the gallantry exhibited on this occa-
sion the Board of Admiralty promoted him to the rank
of lieutenant. The gallant services of Mr. Hewett
on the sth of November, 1854, at the battle of In-
kerman, Captain Lushington again brought before
the Commander-in-Chief. During the Ashantee war
In 1373-4, Sir W. Hewett was Commodore, on the
West Coast of Africa, and he was present at the
battle of Arnoafnland at the capture of Coomassie.
On the 31st of March, 1874, he received the honour
ef K.C.B. He severely punished the natives of the
Congo for outrages in 1875. He was appointed
Commander-in-Chief on the East India Station in
April, 1882, and temporarily served during the
Egyptian war in the Rea Sea. In February, 1884, he
was appointed Governor-General of Suakim with full
powers—military and civil. He was at the battle of
El Teb on the 29th February, 1884. He was charged
in 1884 with a mission to King John of Abys-
sinia, in order to induce that potentate to
aid the relief of the garrison of Kassala. The
last was of the utmost difficulty and importance
and he performed it with great tact and courage; he
received from King John the Order of Solomon, was
awarded the good service pension, and he also re-
ceived the thanks of both Houses of Parliament for
the support and assistarrce afforded to the forces em-
ployed in the operations in the Soudan. His last ap-
pointment was Commander-in-Chief of the Channel
Squadron, his flag on board the Northumberland being
hauled down only on the 17th of last month. Sir W.
Hewett, who was a smart and very popular officer,
bore an imposing display of medals. Ho received the
Order of the Legion of Honour and the Sardinian War
Medal, the Victoria Cross, was created a Knight Com-
mander of the Order of the Star of India, and received
the Souakim and El Teb Clasps. Sir William's death
was signalled to the fleet at Portsmouth on Monday
morning. All naval entertainments at the port were
postponed.
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