In 1609, William₃ was Captain and Commander of H.M.S. Advantage, an English Royal Navy Ship. He was fined for stealing some of the treasure he secured from pirates during a navy recovery expedition. This treasure was sent from Portugal to France by the owner of a French ship. The French ship was captured by a pirate who tried to take the treasure to Ireland. William₃, on the H.M.S. Advantage, captured the pirate and in turn stole some of the treasure for himself. He was later reprimanded for his actions, but the reprimand seemed to have no significant consequence on his ultimate career