How can I find a Sea Captain?

[cranstone]

My 4xgreat-grandfather William Gregory, born in 1805 in Devon, was listed as a retired sea captain in 1871 living in St Andrews.

However, in 1861 he was an Innkeeper in the Bell Inn Public house in Brixham.

I haven't been able to find him in the 1851 or 1841 census, so could he have been at sea?

When one of his children was christened in January 1857 he was listed as a Mariner.

How can I find information on him when he was a Sea Captain?

Many thanks

[slightlyfoxed]

you could try here.
http://www.cronab.demon.co.uk/marit.htm

or the National Maritime archives?

[slightlyfoxed]

I think he may be in
http://www.navylist.org/index.htm

 that has a william gregory, commander,  in the right time frame.
10402 Gregory William 1811- 1814 Commander 4  hits

For more detail vyou'd have to order the record.
foxy