At Lissa a British squadron under William Hoste overwhelmed a French force more than twice their own strength, Volage combating a much larger ship alone for several minutes and taking numerous casualties, including Hornby, who was wounded.
Later in life, Hornby accepted a succession of home and seagoing positions to ensure the promotion prospects for his son in the Navy as well as to support his close allies in Parliament under the Earl of Derby, to whom he was related.
During his career, Hornby accrued numerous awards and accolades, being made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath and a full admiral before his death in 1867.
His eldest brother was Edmund Hornby (1773–1857) of Dalton Hall near Burton, Westmorland, a Member of Parliament for Preston, Lancashire, from 1812 to 1826,[3] who married his first cousin Lady Charlotte Stanley (d.1805), a daughter of Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby.
In order to further his son's career, Hornby then accepted the position of commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet, raising his flag in HMS Asia in 1847.
[4] In retirement Hornby continued to receive honours, eventually being promoted full admiral in 1858 and becoming a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in 1861.