At this period, Mr. Coghlan had spent three years on board a merchant vessel, for the purpose of acquiring a practical knowledge of seamanship. Possessing a laudable ambition, and preferring the chance of obtaining fame to the ignoble pursuit of wealth, he readily accepted Sir Edward Pellew’s invitation, and was received by that distinguished officer, as a midshipman, on board the Indefatigable. The important services performed by that ship have been stated at pp. 216-219 of Vol. I, Part I. In the spring of 1799, Mr. Coghlan removed with Sir Edward Pellew to the Impétueux 78; and during the expedition to Quiberon bay, he was appointed by him to command the Viper cutter, as a reward for his gallantry on numerous occasions of boat service. This appointment was most readily sanctioned by the commander-in-chief of the Channel fleet. Earl St. Vincent, who, in a letter to the Admiralty, particularly requested that he might not be superseded. We should here state, that whilst Mr. Coghlan belonged to the above ships he saved the lives of several of their crews who had accidentally fallen overboard. A most brilliant exploit subsequently performed by him, cannot be better described than in the words of his first professional patron:
“My Lord,– I have true pleasure in stating to your lordship the good conduct of Lieutenant Jeremiah Coghlan, to whom, for former gallant behaviour, you had given an acting commission to command the Viper cutter. This gallant young man, while watching Port Louis, thought he could succeed in boarding some of the cutters or gun-vessels which have been moving about the entrance «f that harbour ; and for this purpose be entreated a ten-oared cutter from me, with 12 volunteers. On Tuesday night, the 29th ultimo[1], he took this boat, with Mr. Silas H. Paddon, midshipman, and six of his own men, making with himself 20; and accompanied by his own boat, and one from the Amethyst, he determined on boarding a gun-brig, mounting three long 24-pounders and four 6-pounders, full of men, moored with springs on her cables, in a naval port of difficult access, within pistol-shot of three batteries, surrounded by several armed craft, and not a mile from a 74 (bearing an Admiral’s flag) and two frigates.
“Undismayed by such formidable appearances, the early discovery of his approach (for they were at quarters), and the lost aid of the other two- ↑ July, 1800.
