William Fitzwilliam Owen

William Fitzwilliam Owen (1774-1857), was a British navel officer and explorer. He is known for his exploration of the west and east African coasts, discovery of the Seaflower Channel off the coast of Sumatra and for surveying the Canadian Great Lakes.

Related Topics:
British - African - Sumatra - Canadian - Great Lakes

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Owen entered the navy in 1788, and served at home and on ships in the West Indies. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1797. In 1803 he was given command of the brigantine HMS Seaflower, and sailed to the West Indies. He explored the Maldive Islands in 1806, and in the same year discovered the Seaflower Channel, off the coast of Sumatra.

Related Topics:
West Indies - Brigantine - Maldive Islands

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He fought the Dutch in the East Indies, and was captured and held by the French from 1808 to 1810. After his release Owen received several promotions before returning to England in 1813. From 1815-1816, he surveyed the upper Canadian Great Lakes lakes with Lieutenant Henry W. Bayfield, naming an inlet in southern Georgian Bay "Owen's Sound" in honour of his elder brother, Admiral Sir Edward William Campbell Rich Owen.

Related Topics:
Dutch - East Indies - French - Georgian Bay - Owen's Sound

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Owen explored the west and east African coasts from 1821-1826. In 1827 he settled a colony at Fernando Po. Owen was made Vice-Admiral in 1854. He died on November 3, 1857 at St John's, New Brunswick.

Related Topics:
Fernando Po - November 3 - 1857 - St John's - New Brunswick

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