Born c1849 in Margate, from his own account William was a boy, some would say unruly, others disruptive but all would agree a boy with a mind of his own.   His school days were not amongst his happiest, with daily beatings for his behaviour he ended them when he threw a book at the headmaster.

He went to sea quite by chance, a sailing ship arrived at Margate, the part owner of which his family were aquainted with.   Against his father's wishes, he wanted his son to become a civil engineer, William with the support of his mother was apprenticed to Captain Hole of the 'Alwynton' for a voyage to Australia and New Zealand.

William went to sea as an apprentice on the sailing barque "Alwynton" of 491 tons c1864.  This first voyage was to Adelaide, Australia, thence after discharge to New Zealand.

Capt Crutchley’s Life story can be downloaded and read free of charge.

His autobiography is   My Life at Sea

Service Record

From

To

Roman

3rd Officer

7/1870

1871

Danube

2nd Officer

1871

1871

Natal

2nd Officer

1871

1872

Basuto

2nd Officer

1872

1872

European

3rd Officer

1873


Syria

Chief officer

1876

1876

Basuto

Chief Officer

1876

1877

Roman

Chief Officer

1877

1878

Danube

Chief Officer

1878

1878

African

Master

1/1879


Asiatic

Master

1881

1882

African

Master

1882

1883

Mexican

Master

1883

1883

Resigned to join New Zealand SS Co


Capt W C Crutchley RD  RNR  FRGS

‘Buffalo Bill’

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