William Clarkson

Vice Admiral Sir William Clarkson, (26 March 1859 – 21 January 1934) is regarded as the co-founder of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), in which he served as a senior commander. Early life Born in Whitby, North Yorkshire, to James, a draper, and his wife Mary (née Dixon). Clarkson was privately educated in the town. Later he was articled into shipbuilding in Newcastle upon Tyne for R. & W. Hawthorn. In his time at the company he became a marine engineer. South Australian Naval Service Clarkson joined the South Australian Naval Service as an Engineer Lieutenant in May 1884, travelling to Australian in . It was in this time that he served under Captain William Creswell (Later Vice Admiral and Commander of Commonwealth Naval Forces) who shared his interest of creating a united Australian Navy. He was Chief engineer aboard Protector in the Boxer Rebellion in 1900–01, which carried despatches in the conflict.