William Cathcart (Royal Navy officer)
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The Honourable William Cathcart |
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|---|---|
| Born |
30 June 1782 London, England |
| Died | 4 June 1804 (aged 21) Jamaica, West Indies |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1795–1804 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands held | |
| Battles/wars | |
| Relations |
William Cathcart, 10th Lord Cathcart (father) Sir George Cathcart (brother) |
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.
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.
Cathcart joined the Royal Navy in August 1795 as a volunteer aboard Melpomene, a thirty-eight gun, fifth rate vessel originally captured from the French in 1794, being finally decommissioned in 1815. Subsequently, he served on Pallas as a (6 May – 6 August 1796), Able Seaman on Romulus (21 August 1796 – 13 January 1797), Midshipman (14 January – 12 November 1797), Midshipman and Master's Mate on Alcmene (13 November 1797 – 7 March 1799), and Midshipman on Majestic (8 March – 2 December 1799). He was made lieutenant on 2 September 1801.
He served on Medusa and was made master and commander on 14 April 1802. This ship was highly active during 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 Renard, 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.
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