Idas

During the period of the Napoleonic Wars, two vessels have served the British Royal Navy as His Majesty's Hired armed cutter Idas, named for Idas, a figure from Greek mythology. The first Idas The first Idas was a cutter that served the Royal Navy from 10 November 1808 to 5 September 1812. She carried ten 6-pounder guns and was of 142 tons (bm). In August–December 1809, Idas participated in the ill-fated Walcheren Campaign while under the command of Lieutenant James Duncan. She helped cover the initial British landing and then carried dispatches from Rear-admiral Sir Richard Strachan back to England, arriving there on 6 August. Idas spent much of the expedition carrying dispatches or Admiral Strachan from one location to another. Still, on 1 December, Idas was in company with the hired armed lugger Speculator, when they recaptured Respect. On 16 March 1810, boats from Idas and the hired armed cutter King George brought out a French privateer schuyt, of four guns, from the Texel. They did so despite strong small arms fire from the shore.