you have expressed yourself on the fortunate re-capture of the Diamond transport, by the Viper cutter, under your command, is most warmly acknowledged by his Royal Highness, who, unwilling to deprive the seamen of the reward so justly due to their vigilance and activity, and therefore feeling it incumbent upon him to decline any offer to your and their disadvantage, is as forcibly impressed with a high sense of the obligation conferred, as if your generosity had been accepted. His Royal Highness has much pleasure in assuring you, that your name has not been unknown to him, having himself been present at the council, when your meritorious conduct received such an honorable mark of approbation from his Majesty, before whom, it is the intention of H.R.H. to submit this fresh proof of your activity in his service, and attachment to his family and person. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“James Willoughby Gordon, Aid-de-Camp and Secretary.”
On the 1st April, 1801, Lieutenant Coghlan captured le Heros French brig privateer, of 14 guns and 73 men. The following is an extract of a letter from Sir Edward Pellew to the Hon. Admiral Cornwallis, dated off Rochefort, Aug. 8, 1801:–
“The Viper is just returned from driving into Bourdeaux the ship corvette Tapageur of 16 guns, after some firing, and would have taken her, had she not, in a dastardly manner, run into port.”
Another dashing action on the part of Lieutenant Coghlan is thus described by Sir Edward, in a letter to the commander-in-chief, dated, Sept. 10, 1801:–
“Having sent Lieutenant Coghlan, by signal, in the Viper, to intercept a convoy passing from Pertuis Breton to Sable d’Ollone, I cannot, in justice to him, omit making a report of his gallant conduct, although his endeavours were not crowned with the success they merited.
“On his approach to Sable d’Ollone he had cut off a loaded sloop and drove a brig on shore; but on his boat going to take possession, a large gun-brig, two schooners of 12 guns each, and two luggers of 10, started from Sable d’Ollone, to cut off his boat: upon which he recalled her, and stood direct towards the enemy, making the gun-brig his particular object. After bearing their fire for some time, they all put their heads in shore: the gun-brig lay to, upon which he closed, within pistol-shot, and in ten minutes she was glad to bear up, and run aground in the surf; after which he drove the other four vessels before him into port again. The wind blowing strong off shore, and the tide flowing, the brig, mounting 15 guns, and having on board 100 men, was again got off. The Viper received some 24-pounder shot in her hull, had one man killed, and one wounded.”
The Viper was put out of commission, at Plymouth, Oct.
