she is engaged; yet I cannot sufficiently express my admiration of the result of this action, against a force so much superior, and which can only be attributed to the eminent skill with which it was conducted. The exertions of the officers and ship’s company deserve every regard. I beg you to accept my sincere congratulations on your success.”
“I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to express to you, the high sense they entertain of your meritorious conduct in that encounter. The ability with which it was conducted, and the success which ensued, have given their lordships a satisfactory proof that the skill, bravery, and discipline of British seamen and marines, when guided by officers of enterprise and talent, are irresistible. It is their lordships’ directions, that you make known to the officers and ship’s company of the Seahorse, their approbation of their zealous and gallant conduct: – a conduct so in unison with the high character which British seamen have on all occasions maintained in their country’s service.”
About the same time, Captain Stewart received a letter from Lord Mulgrave, then presiding at the Board of Admiralty, wherein his lordship expressed great satisfaction at transmitting him the naval medal which accompanied it, “as a mark of His Majesty’s gracious approbation of the skill and gallantry that had been displayed by him on the 5th July, 1808, and added: –
“The best testimony that I can bear of the sense which I entertain of the distinguished service of that day, will be found in the enclosed list of promotions, which the Admiralty have wade in the several ranks on board the Seahorse.”[1]
The Seahorse was subsequently employed in cruising between Corsica and the coast of Italy. On the 10th May, 1809, Captain Stewart reported to Lord Collingwood, “the destruction of the enemy’s forts on the small islands of Gianuti and Pianoza, in which services great gallantry appears to have been displayed by the officers and men who were employed under the directions of Lieutenants Bennett
- ↑ Lieutenant George Downie, to the rank of commander; Mr. William Lester, to be lieutenant of the Seahorse; and Thomas Hully, to be a gunner. Mr. George Flintof, purser, and the boatswain and carpenter, noted for appointments to ships of a higher rate. Captain Downie was killed in action with the American flotilla on Lake Champlain, Sept. 14th, 1814. See Suppl. Part IV. pp. 95–102.
