Highlander

Highlander was launched at Sunderland in 1805 as a West Indiaman, trading with Demerara. She was captured in 1807 after a sanguinary single ship action. One of her passengers was a naval officer repatriating for illness, but who escaped French custody and later rose to be a Rear Admiral. She returned to British ownership and was wrecked in 1809. Career She first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1806. On 14 March 1807 while returning to England from Demerara, Highlander encountered the French privateer Alerte, Captain Moreau, of twenty-two 8-pounder guns and 150 men, which captured her. Highlander arrived at Guadeloupe on 30 March. Lieutenant George Augustus Westphal was a passenger on Highlander, being invalided home from service on . On the way he trained Highlanders crew in gunnery. When Alerte approached, he commanded Highlanders crew in her resistance to the privateer. Highlander was able to repel three attempts to board but had to strike after a fourth attempt succeeded. Highlander had suffered five men killed and seven wounded, including Westphal and her mate. Alerte sent Highlander into Guadeloupe.