ers and 2 long sixes); six gun-boats, most of them carrying 2 long 24-pounders, and having from 50 to 70 men each. The action was fought close to the mouth of Christiansand harbour[1].
“I cannot speak in terms adequate to the deserts of every officer and man under my command on this trying occasion. I received that support from Mr. Hatton, the first Lieutenant, I had every reason to expect from his general good conduct; and the other officers and crew have my warmest thanks for their cool and steady behaviour: I consider it a duty I owe to them to add, that British valour was never displayed in a more striking manner than on this occasion, opposed as they were to so very superior a force.
“The enemy must have suffered very considerably, but I have not been able to ascertain to what extent. Several of the Danes, including the carpenter of the Lougen, perished on board the Seagull, so precipitately did she go down. I herewith send you a list of our killed and wounded[2].
“To Vice-Admiral Wells, &c. &c.”
Captain Cathcart was detained as a prisoner in Norway until Oct. 1808, and tried by a court-martial for the loss of his sloop, Nov. 21, in the same year, on which occasion he delivered the following address in behalf of his officers and crew.
“Mr. President, and Gentlemen of the Court.– It was the greatest pleasure of my life having had the honor to command so brave and determined a set of officers and men, by whose very great zeal and intrepidity I was enabled to defend H.M. brig so long against so very superior a force. I feel it to be my duty, and in doing so the greatest gratification, to say, that to the able and gallant support of the first Lieutenant, Mr. Hatton, I am particularly indebted; and I do trust that he will be duly rewarded for his meritorious conduct and very severe sufferings, for which I recommend him in the strongest manner possible.
“I also feel the greatest satisfaction in bearing testimony to the cool and determined good conduct of the other officers during so severe an action, wherein one-third of the ship’s company were killed and wounded;- ↑ The Seagull mounted 14 twenty-four-pounder carronades and 2 long sixes, with a complement of 94 officers, men, and boys – 66 persons less than the Lougen.
- ↑ The second Lieutenant (Abraham Harcourt White), the master, and 6 men killed. Captain Cathcart, the first Lieutenant, boatswain, and 17 men (one of whom mortally) wounded. N.B. The Seagull was afterwards weighed by the Danes, and added to their navy.
