William Cathcart (Royal Navy officer)

William Cathcart (Royal Navy officer)
The Honourable William Cathcart, Master of Cathcart (30 June 1782 – 4 June 1804) was an officer in the Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
Early life
He was the eldest son of Scottish peer William Cathcart, 10th Lord Cathcart (1755 – 1843), later Earl Cathcart, and of Elizabeth Elliott (1760 – 1847), the daughter of Andrew Elliot, the governor of New York. His younger brother was General, the Honourable Sir George Cathcart KCB DL (1794 – 1854). Born in London, his birthdate is alternatively recorded as 13 June 1782, according to other sources. Cathcart was educated in the paternal tradition at Eton College, Windsor, Berkshire, United Kingdom.
Naval career
Cathcart joined the Royal Navy in August 1795 as a volunteer aboard , a thirty-eight gun, fifth rate vessel originally captured from the French in 1794, being finally decommissioned in 1815. Subsequently, he served on as a supernumerary (6 May – 6 August 1796), Able Seaman on (21 August 1796 – 13 January 1797), Midshipman (14 January – 12 November 1797), Midshipman and Master's Mate on (13 November 1797 – 7 March 1799), and Midshipman on (8 March – 2 December 1799). He was made lieutenant on 2 September 1801.
He served on and was made master and commander on 14 April 1802. This ship was highly active in various theatres of operations and had a prolific service life, the log of which is preserved and is accessible online through the University of Glasgow. However, Cathcart's presence on board is, at present, only considered presumptive. He then in October 1802 took charge of the sloop , another addition from the French Navy. Having subsequently being appointed post captain, Cathcart took command of the frigate Clorinde, captured in 1803 at Santo Domingo. He died in the West Indies of yellow fever while commanding her, on 4 June 1804 at the age of 21. He is reported to have served with distinction at the raids on Boulogne, a naval action of August, 1801 in which the Royal Navy attempted to destroy components of the French fleet in that port.
Cathcart's role in the Raids on Boulogne
During the second raid on Boulogne, Cathcart is reported to have served with great distinction as part of a boat crew tasked with the destruction of a French naval target. At the time of this action, Cathcart is reported to have already served time in the Mediterranean and was presently serving with the inshore squadron off Brest as acting lieutenant on board the frigate, Medusa, to which Nelson had recently transferred his flag. For the attack on the enemy flotilla, Cathcart was placed in command of the ships' cutter. In recognition of Cathcart's conspicuous conduct during the attack, Captain Edward T. Parker sent the following despatch to Nelson on 16 August 1801, having been mortally wounded himself in the action and dying from his injuries a short time later,
Having been rescued by Cathcart, worthy of note is the obituary for Parker which indicates the sacrifice of the failed attack in which Cathcart had heroically acquitted himself.
Death
Cathcart was appointed as post-captain on HMS Clorinde, captured along with the Surveillante, after foundering on rocks while attempting escape from a joint British and Haitian siege of Santo Domingo, under the command of Emmanuel Halgan, in 1803. The ship was recovered and was then transferred to Jamaica during which time Cathcart assumed charge of the ship. However, before he could ascend fully to his new command, Cathcart contracted yellow fever, a viral infection carried by mosquitoes, which proved fatal. The Cathcart genealogical entry for him states that,"This gallant young officer fell a victim to the yellow fever, at Jamaica, when in command of the Clorinde frigate, with the rank of post-captain, 5th June 1804, in his 22d year, unmarried."
References
Royal Navy officers
1782 births
1804 deaths
Royal Navy personnel of the French Revolutionary Wars
Royal Navy personnel of the Napoleonic Wars
Deaths from yellow fever
Heirs apparent who never acceded