station, about April, 1807; but was superseded in the command of that vessel, for misconduct when in presence of an enemy, on the 10th Feb. 1809[1].
THOMAS HEDDINGTON, Esq.
[Commander.]
Was made a lieutenant in 1795; promoted to his present rank on the 25th Sept. 1806: and appointed agent for prisoners of war at Valleyfield, near Edinburgh, in 1811. He afterwards superintended the impress service at Lynn.
WILLIAM JAMES HUGHES, Esq.
[Commander.]
We first find this officer’s name mentioned in an official letter written by the commander of the Scourge sloop, dated off the Texel, Jan. 11th, 1804, and addressed to Rear-Admiral (now Sir Edward) Thornbrough; of which the following is an extract:–
“Sir,– I have the honor of informing you, that in execution of your orders, on my arrival off the Vlie Land, I spoke the Prussian from Amsterdam, who informed me, that a large ship, with prize colours flying, was lying in the Vlie Roads, waiting for a wind to proceed up the passage; and that he understood from the pilots she was an English ship, laden with naval stores. Considering, that to deprive the enemy of a ship of that description was of material consequence, I determined on attempting to cut her out; for which purpose, after dark, H.M. sloop was anchored in the Stadt Mille Passage, in 4½ fathoms water, and within musket-shot of the shore, ready to co-operate with the boats, which were detached about midnight, under the direction of Lieutenant William James Hughes, the senior officer; and with such good order was the attack conducted by him, that the ship was boarded and brought out, although lying immediately under the batteries, and mounting herself eight guns, without the smallest loss; she proves to be from Memel, laden with timber, 400 tons burthen, taken by l’Union Dutch brig privateer, on the coast of Norway.
- ↑ See Vol. II. Part I. p. 147 et seq.; also James’s Nav. Hist. vol. v. pp. 218–222; and Brenton’s ditto, Vol. iv. p. 375 et seq.
