HOSTE, SIR WILLIAM (1780-1828), British naval cap tain, was born on Aug. 26, 1780 at Ingoldsthorpe, and entered the navy in April 1793, under the special care of Nelson, who had a lively affection for him. He served in the naval campaigns of the Napoleonic wars. His most brilliant feat was performed on March 13, 181I. A Franco-Venetian squadron of six frigates and five small vessels, under the command of a French officer named Du bourdieu, assailed Hoste's small force of four frigates near the island of Lissa. The French officer imitated Nelson's attack at Trafalgar by sailing down on the English line from windward with his ships in two lines. But the rapid manoeuvring and gunnery of Hoste's squadron proved how little virtue there is in any formation in itself. Dubourdieu was killed, one of the French frigates was driven on shore, and two of the Venetians were taken. He died on Dec. 6, 1828.
See Lady Harriet Hoste, Memoirs and Letters of Sir William Hostc (2 vols. 1833 ; abridgment entitled Service Afloat, 1887) .