the very gallant action for which he was deservedly rewarded with a post commission:
“Sir,– I have the honor to acquaint you, that on the 14th inst., at 4 P.M., when standing in for the coast of Norway, a sail was discovered inshore, and, on seeing us, appeared to be seeking a port of safety. We instantly gave chase, with a fresh breeze from the eastward; and as we neared her, she hauled among the rocks, out of our sight, to take shelter in the small port of Midbe. Immediately a number of boats came out to her assistance, I suppose with the intention of removing her cargo. I despatched Mr. Wilson, acting-master, accompanied by Mr. (Thomas Edward) Knight, mate[1], with the cutter well armed, to bring her out: the jolly-boat was also sent, with Mr. M‘Nicholl, gunner, and Mr. Le Neve, purser, who volunteered his services. This duty was performed by Mr. Wilson with the utmost gallantry for when mixed with the enemy’s boats, the latter were dispersed in all directions, leaving him at liberty to board the vessel, in doing which he was opposed by some of the inhabitants with musketry, whilst others hurled down stones upon our men, from the top of the precipice under which she lay secured: however, she was carried without any loss, to the astonishment of an increasing multitude, who crowded together on the surrounding heights. She is a galliot, with only part of her cargo on board, consisting principally of oil and fish.
“Scarcely had the galliot hove in sight from under the rocks, when a large brig was observed coming out of Hitteroe: she bore down on us with confidence, indicating a vessel of force, and apparently with the design of rescuing the prize. About 6 P.M. she got upon our weather-beam; and judging her to be within reach of our guns, I sent a challenge, by firing a shot over her. The enemy then hauled his wind close, and kept in shore. Finding he would not join us, I made sail for the purpose of bringing him to action, which soon commenced at half gun-shot range, distant from the shore half a mile, passing each other on different tacks. When he received our first broadside, he caught fire forward; and had we been closer at the moment, to profit by his confusion, I have no doubt of the result. He kept so near the land, that he was held from our view, so that we could only be guided in our fire by the flash of his guns, and were also, from this circumstance, prevented weathering him, We continued engaging him in this manner for three hours; but found he had a decided advantage over us. The Dane was a man of war, well appointed in every respect, carrying long 18-pounders, and seemingly had taken fresh courage after a few of our broadsides, as if aware of our inferiority to him in weight of metal, the Childers bearing only 12-pounder carronades:– latterly, his guns were 80 well-directed, that every shot did us mischief, particularly between wind and water. Observing that nothing could be done whilst he kept so near- ↑ Now a Lieutenant.
