The Frederickswoern was taken off Marstrand, on the Swedish coast, and conducted to Copenhagen by Lieutenant Watts, whose promotion to the rank of commander took place on the 17th of the following month. Previous to his return home, he assisted at the capture of several vessels, and was more than once engaged with the enemy, on the coast of Norway.
The Duke of Kent, with that steady friendship for which he was so eminently distinguished, on reading the oflRcial report of the above action, wrote, unsolicited, to the First Lord of the Admiralty, in behalf of his protégé, and received the following answer:–
“Lord Mulgrave has the honor to assure your Royal Highness, that the promotion of Lieutenant Watts had been determined on by him, on the score of his gallant conduct at the capture of the Frederickswoern, previous to the receipt of your Royal Highness’s letter.”
This document H.R.H. most kindly forwarded to Captain Watts; and after complimenting him on the attainment of his rank by his own exertions, graciously added, “All the obligations you profess yourself to lie under, are done away by your excellent conduct upon all occasions, and as I have no doubt you will continue the same through life, you may ever rely upon a continuance of my friendship and protection.”
Sir Samuel Hood also addressed a very friendly letter to Captain Watts, of which the following is a copy:–
“Centaur, Downs, 11th Nov. 1807.
“My dear Sir,– In announcing to me your promotion, I assure you it has afforded me particular satisfaction, and I do most sincerely congratulate you thereon.
“The handsome manner in which your commanders have at all times spoken of you, has been very gratifying to me, and I hope I may, at some future period, be able further to demonstrate my wishes to serve you, which you have at present deprived me the happiness of doing, by your own meritorious conduct. I am, my dear Sir, with great truth, your’s most truly,
(Signed)“Sam. Hood.”
In 1808, Captain Watts was appointed to the command of the Ephira brig, on the North Sea station; and in the spring of the following year, we find him, with a small squadron of gun-vessels under his orders, stationed in the river Elbe, where he made many captures, and greatly harassed the enemy’s
