USA > Massachusetts > Dukes County > Early History of Naushon Island > Part 23
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
flying the English flag, and got very near. She suddenly raised the French flag and opened fire and after a fight lasting an hour and twenty minutes the Perseverance beat her off. Of the four quarter guns one was dismounted and many shots struck the ship and rigging. In a spirited letter printed in Osgood's chapter on Salem Commerce in the 'History of Essex County,' Captain Wheatland gives an account of the fight as follows: 'While our guns loaded with round shot and square bars of iron six inches long were plied so briskly and directed with so good judgment that be- fore he got out of reach we had cut his mainsail and fore topsail all to rags and cleared his decks effectually so there were scarce ten men to be seen.' This was one of the few real actions in our so called war with France, which was never actually declared, al- though there were a number of small fights similar to this one.
"In 1801 Captain Wheatland retired from the sea and Captain James Cook became Master of the Perseverance. He made voy- ages to the East and, on his way back from Batavia in a storm, ran ashore at Tarpaulin Cove, on Naushon Island off Cape Cod, January 31, 1805. The vessel was a total wreck although no lives were lost. The Salem Gazette of February 5, 1805, has the fol- lowing:
"The Telegraph announces the ship Perseverance, Cook, 135 days from Batavia, ashore at Tarpolin Cove, and bilged. We are happy to hear that letters from Captain Cook yesterday announce that all of the coffee is got out of the Perseverance dry and in good order; that the sugar is not much wet, and that the property is in a far better state than could be expected."
1807 New Bedford Mercury
New Bedford Nov. 16
The ship Mercator, Capt. Perry (belonging to Mr John Avery Parker, of this town) from Liverpool after having anchored in
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MARITIME NOTES
Tarpaulin Cove has drove ashore at Seconnet. The Mercator it is said, had a Vineyard Pilot on board when she went ashore, and it is believed that she went ashore owing to the ignorance of the Pilot.
Jan. 19 1808
Jan. 20 ar. at Tarpaulin Cove, brig Actress, Manwaring, 21 days from St Pierres Martinique, bound to New York.
Mar. 29,
Friday last ar. at Tarpaulin Cove ship George and Mary, Hyatt of Newport, 26 days from Falmouth England.
1808
Sept. 30,
The following note was found in a bottle on the shore, south side of Nashaun Island, Sept. 20, 1808 by Mr Smith of Tisbury Marthas Vineyard, who forwarded it to us for publication :
"May 12, 1798
I John M. . . t master of the ship Olive Branch of Philadel- phia in Lat. 33. 30 long. 69. 10. I am through the goodness of God lying to under a reef mizzin staysail and expecting nothing but death, at the present moment the sea making its way over us, three men already lost over board. This I conceal in a bottle & with wax seal the same. Whomever who shall be so kind as to pick this up and put it in the prints of the first port, that my friends may hear of my sad disaster. Shall be paid by the owners at Phila.
Ship Olive Branch 29 guns."
1810
Apr. 21.
Ar. at Tarpaulin Cove on Monday last, Ship Fame Slocum, 34 days from Lisbon Left - Mar. 10 brig Columbia, Sullivan for Gottenburg in 3 days.
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
Nov. 2 1810
Ar. Tarpaulin Cove on Monday night last Ship Fame, Slocum 35 days from Lisbon.
Dec. 21.
Ship George & Mary of Providence was at Tarpaulin Cove yes- terday morning.
1813 Columbian Centinel
Jan. 16th, 1813
Ar. ship from Gottenberg, Waterwich, Captain Hagborg with a cargo of German linens, went into Tarpaulin Cove on Thurs- day. Passengers; Capt. Coffin of ship Superior of Bath, Leon- ard of Ship Wm. Penn of New Bedford, and Patten of Brig Oriental of Marblehead, all laid up at Gottenberg. All the American vessels in Gottenberg had been laid up to winter, and their crews discharged.
Jan. 30, 1813
Two Spanish schooners from Havana went from there (Holmes Hole) to Tarpaulin Cove on Thursday, one of them bound to New York. The prize brig Recovery, to the Argus, had gone from Tarpaulin Cove to New Bedford.
The British brig Barrassa, prize to the Rolla of Baltimore arrived at Tarpaulin Cove on Wednesday last; cargo, dry goods tallow etc.
Feb. 6, 1813
Mr Norton, pilot of the Port Boy, came out of Holmes Hole last Wednesday left a sloop of & for New York from the South which had been captured by the British, her crew taken out and 6 men put on board with orders to proceed to Bermuda, but
LAUNCHING OF SHIP "FAME," 363 TONS BURTHEN, IN 1802. FROM PAINTING BY GEORGE ROPES
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MARITIME NOTES
a few days after her capture the Captain privately bored a hole in her bottom, and which kept the men so constantly at work that they thought she would founder, gave up the command to her original Captain, to take her to a U. S. port and who brought her to Holmes Hole.
Saw 2 brigs and several Schooners at Tarpaulin Cove.
Apr. 17th 1813
Ship Salus 173 days from Calcutta for Boston, ar. at Tarpaulin Cove the 13th instant.
The files of the newspapers during the War of 1812 tell graph- ically of the depredations of British war vessels. The shipping of Nantucket was practically wiped out.
Again Tarpaulin Cove was used as a base by British men-of- war. The following pages tell of the raids upon coastwise shipping by the Nimrod, the Liverpool Packet and half a dozen more Brit- ish privateers.
Boston Daily Advertiser
Mar. 23, 1813
The U.S. Sloop of War Hornet was at anchor Monday morn- ing off Tarpaulin Cove. A sloop was chased ashore at Cuddy Hunk on Saturday by a British privateer.
Mar. 24
The prisoners inform that the J. Sherbrook, Capt. Freeman, anchored a few days ago off Block Island and hoisted American colors. A pilot came off and asked where she was from and if they wanted a pilot etc. the answer was that they were from Bordeaux and wanted a pilot, accordingly he came on board and was detained. She then got under way and went into Tarpau-
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
lin Cove last Thursday 18th. and anchored. While there a Vine- yard pilot (Stephen Skiff) came along side and asked the same questions and was answered the same, and was also detained. It was the intention of Capt. Freeman to have gone into Holmes Hole and to have cut out the vessels lying there, having a launch with swivels prepared for the purpose, but the next day seeing the Hornet sloop of war was there, he got under way and made all possible sail till he was off Cape Cod.
Apr. 2, 1813
A gentleman from Falmouth informs that a smack taken and manned by the privateer Brig John Sherbrook (Retaliater pri- vateer in company) cut out of Tarpaulin Cove on Wednesday evening last Sloop New Packet, Crosby from Nantucket to New York and sch. Dolphin, Swift of Hallowell for the Southward, after which the smack was given up.
Apr. 3
The sloop New Packet, cut out of Tarpaulin Cove, has been re- taken by the owner & Captain left on board, & arrived at New- port.
Apr. 13
A gentleman from Tarpaulin Cove informs that the Sir J. Sher- brook sent one of her barges into the Cove on Thursday night, but there were no vessels there.
This morning the sloop Rover was brought to by the Sir J. Sher- brook privateer then lying in Tarpaulin Cove, and had put on board Capt. Eldridge & crew of ship Frederick Augustus from Cadiz for Newport, which they captured yesterday.
Apr. 25, 1813
The Liverpool Packet was at anchor at Tarpaulin Cove, Satur- day morning. A field piece was brought to Woods Hole and
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MARITIME NOTES
about 20 men watched there all Friday night to protect the [place ] in case the Liverpool Packet should come back again.
Apr. 26
Falmouth Cape Cod 25th. inst.
On Friday morning last it was ascertained that the Liverpool Packet went into Tarpaulin Cove and lay all night there. A number of her crew were on shore upon a frolic & had remained there till yesterday, when a fast sailing sloop was fitted out under the command of Capt. John Crocker and about 70 men volunteered to go with him to take the Liverpool Packet.
They would have no doubt succeeded had it not fell calm which prevented getting up to her. She was seen this A.M. in the eastward in chase of a brig & a sloop which got safe into Old- town *. Should she go up to the Cove again this evening, another attempt will be made to take her.
Apr. 29, 1813
Fishing smack Sally, Bath Maine, informs us ... Same day was boarded off Holmes Hole by the Liverpool Packet who plundered them of such articles as were of value to the privateer and permitted them to proceed. Left the privateer at anchor last evening at 8 o'clock at Tarpaulin Cove. She had 39 men on board and carries 6 guns. An officer said they were going on shore to have a dance, as they had frequently done before.
June 16th.
The Liverpool Packet was captured by privateer Thomas of Portsmouth.
From the files of the Admiralty in London come Logs of His Britannic Majesty's vessels of war. These tell of shipping activ- ities from the British point of view.
* Edgartown.
--
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
CAPTAIN'S LOG, H.M.S. "NIMROD"
Commanded by Nathaniel Mitchell, Esq.
2nd Dec. 1813
At single anchor in Tarpaulin Cove in 13 fms. Gay head light S.W.b W., S. pt. Nashon Island W.b S. House in the Bay N.W.b W.
Remarks and Occurances
At eight observed a ship at anchor in Tarpaulin Cove. An- chored along side her, she proved to be the American ship Chili from a whaling voyage bound to Nantucket, took possession of her.
Boarded a Swedish Schooner in Ballast. At 12 strong breezes and squally weather.
Fresh breezes and squally. At daylight strong gales and cloudy.
Took the prisoners out of the ship and put them on board a Swedish Schooner which is to remain at anchor with us until we weigh & then proceed for Nantucket, sent provisions on board Schooner for the prisoners, and boats for Fresh beef and vege- tables. Employed cleaning ship and Putting Prize to rights. At noon Strong gales and squally. Received Seven Hundred Pounds of Fresh Beef, & eighteen Hundred pounds of cabbages. Saw a sail coming around the East Point, sent a boat after her, at 5 the boat boarded her and brought her to anchor, she proved to be the American Sloop Manhaten from New York to Rhode Island with flour etc. At 6 Observed a Schooner coming round the East Point sent a boat and took possession of her, she being far to leeward. At Dark observed her tack inshore. At 8 Strong gales & squally, schooner not in sight ranged Best Bower Cable At 12 strong gales and squally.
Dec. 4, 1813
Anchored in Tarpauling Cove. Light airs and variable. Pat'k Flinn died on board the Sloop. Man'd and armed the Prize
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MARITIME NOTES
with Fifteen men, Ordered her to proceed to Halifax. At 8 boat returned from Schooner, she proved to be Portuguese. Mr Jn. Piper, Masters Mate, died in the boat from the hard Frost the pre- ceding night. Sent provisions to the Prize. Ditto weather.
At noon got the Sloop a longside the ship. Employed getting the flour out of her. Received a Boat Load of fire wood. Dec. 5, 1813
At single anchor in Tarpaulin Cove. Moderate and fine. Em- ployed discharging Sloops Cargo on board ship and brig. At noon got the ship under weigh and made sail.
H.M.S. NIMROD
14th Jan. 1814
At noon. Moderate breezes and fair . .. standing into Tar- pauling Cove. At 6 shortened sail, at 7 anchored in Tarpauling Cove.
15th Jan.
Light breezes and fine. . . . Hoisted out the Barge and sent her in chase of a schooner. Received one hundred & forty eight pounds of fresh beef, vegetables five hundred pounds. At noon. Moderate breezes & fine. Barge returned.
16th Jan.
Heavy snow. At noon moderate breezes with heavy snow. At 1.30 Boats returned having destroyed a Sloop. Hoisted in the Boats.
17th Jan.
At noon moderate breezes and cloudy. Sent Barge for water. Carpenters on shore Cutting wood. At sunset in boats.
18th Jan.
Moderate breezes and fine. At 7 hoisted out the boats. Sent them on Service. At noon a sail in the offing. At 4 Moderate breezes with snow. At 12 Fresh Breezes with heavy snow. Barge returned.
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
19th Jan.
Wind North. Fresh breezes with snow. Burnt several False fires. At 2 Fired a Rocket to shew Boats and position. At 12 moderate breezes & squally. Boat not returned. At 4 Boat re- turned, hoisted in boats. Boarded a Swedish schooner.
20th Jan.
Winds N.W. Moderate breezes and cloudy. At 8 employed getting ready for sea.
At 11.10 weighed & made sail. Passed a schooner under Swedish colors.
25th Jan.
Wind at N.W. & N.N.W. At noon Gay Head House S.E. 3 miles. At 4 Tarpauling Cove.
26th Jan.
Calm. At 2 sent Barge & Pilot boat on shore, detained a Swedish Schooner. Sent a Midshipman and 4 men on board her. Joined a sloop taken by the Pilot Boat.
At noon at single anchor in Tarpauling Cove. Moderate breezes and fine. Brought on board the crew of the detained schooner Oscar. At 4 Pilot boat returned with a small boat. Let her go. At 6 Barge returned.
27th Jan.
Wind N.W. Moderate breezes and cloudy. Sent an other man & three weeks provisions for six men and the two Swedes on board the schooner.
28th Jan.
Wind N.W. At daylight weighed and made sail for Falmouth. At 11.30 Anchored off Falmouth. Hoisted a Flag of Truce, sent a boat on shore. At 12 boat returned.
At 12.45 Sent a Boat to meet the American Flag of Truce. At 1 boat Returned, began firing on the Town, to destroy it. Saw a ship standing in for the Cove.
At 4.30 ceased firing on the town. At 12 moderate and fine.
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MARITIME NOTES
29 Jan.
Wind west. At daylight Weighed & beat to Tarpauling Cove. At 7 exchanged news with H.M.S. Endymion. At 9 anchored in the Cove.
At noon At single Anchor in Tarpauling Cove.
Wind W.N.W. At 6.30 Sailed the Swedish schooner for Ber- muda.
30th Jan.
Fresh breezes and cloudy. Came in the Swedish schooner not being able to get round Gay Head.
At noon arrived H.M.S. La Hogue.
31st Jan.
Strong gales and squally. Extreme cold. 1st Feb.
At single anchor in Tarpauling Cove.
At noon. Discharged 7 prisoners. A party on shore Wooding and Brooming.
2nd Feb.
N.N.W. Two schooners in the Sound. H.M.S. La Hogue boarded schooners. At noon at single anchor in Tarpauling Cove. At 1 weighed & made sail. At 4.30 Saw the Endymion bring too a schooner.
1st April
Wind S.E. Anchored in Tarpaulin Cove in 3 fms. Sent boats for water. Carpenters on shore cutting wood.
2nd April Still there.
3d April
Calm. Received 30 bushels of Potatoes & fifteen bushels of turnips.
7th April
At 12.15 Weighed and made sail. Standing down the Vineyard Sound.
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
18th May 1814
At noon wind W.S.W. At 8 shortened sail & anchored in Tar- pauling Cove. Out Boats.
19th May
At 6 Sent water casks in a Hoy [?] for water.
20th May
Recieved 450 lbs Fresh beef & 20 bu. potatoes.
At noon at single anchor in Tarpauling Cove. At 4 came along- side a hoy with water. At 12 Heavy rain Thunder and Lighten- ing.
H.M.S. "NIMROD," CAPT. VINCENT NEWTON
13th June
At 7.30 Weighed and ran up Buzzards Bay. At 11.30 anchored at the head of the Bay sent the boats to Wareham.
At noon at single anchor Buzzards Bay. At 4.30 Boats returned having destroyed 17 sail of shipping. Hoisted in the boats.
At 8.30 Superb's boats Parted for the ship. Calm.
14th June
At 6 Weighed - running towards Quick's Hole. At 11.30 hawled up for the Hole.
At 12.30 observed the Brig to strike the shore. Shortened and furled sails. Employed getting an anchor out astern to Heave her off. Boat from the Superb came to our assistance. Got out several of the Guns and Shot.
At 3.30 Hove her off & anchored with the Small Bower. At 6 Weighed and stood towards the Superb.
At 7.30 anchored off Gay Head.
2nd July 1814
Saw the Saratoga privateer beating out of Buzzards Bay. Hove too for her off the Sow and Pigs.
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MARITIME NOTES
7th July
At 2 Cuttyhunk E.N.E. 2 leagues.
Boarded a sloop with flag of Truce and allowed her to proceed. 7 filled and made sail.
At 11 a sea struck the Barge and filled her carried away the tow rope and lost her altogether with the masts sails and com- passes.
15th Jan. 1815
Tarpauling Cove. At 7 weighed and made sail. Fresh breezes ship past, beating into Tarpauling Cove.
10 shortened sail came too with the Best Bower. Out boats.
16th Jan.
At 7 a.m. carpenters on shore cutting wood.
17th Jan.
Strong Gales and hard Squalls with heavy Snow.
20th Jan.
Tarpauling Cove. 7.15 Weighed and made Sail.
CAPTAIN'S LOG, H.M.S. "ENDYMION" Henry Hope, Esq., Captain
Friday Jan. 28th 1814
A.M. made sail for Tarpaulin Cove noon. 1.40 furled sails and anchored in 11 fms. off Tarpaulin Cove saw a boat at Anchor to the Eastward which proved to be H.M. Brig Nimrod.
Jan. 29
At anchor off Tarpaulin Cove P.M. 8 Robert Waddle seaman deserted from the Wooding Party was taken up by the inhabit- ants and Given up.
Sun Jan. 30
A.M. 11 Observed a large Sail in the offing standing to the
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
Eastward supposed to be H.M. Ship La Hogue. Purser went on shore to Purchase Bullocks.
Feb. 1 1814
Off Tarpaulin Cove.
10th Oct.
At 12.10 A.M. chased a ship and schooner standing on for Nan- tucket. Sent boats manned and armed with 105 men and officers. The ship was supposed to be a privateer with her prize, at 9 she opened a fire on the boats which continued for 20 minutes. Early the next morning the Launch, Barge, Cutter & Gig returned having been repulsed by the enemy with 10 killed, 32 wounded, and 2 officers and 30 seamen and marines missing.
Thursday, 12 October 1814
A.M. 11 Anchored off tarpaulin Cove in 10 fms. P.M. 488 lbs. of fresh beef from H.M.S. Forth.
Oct 13
Sent party on shore for Brooms and Sand.
Oct 14
8 A.M. Lawe Roberts (m) died of his wounds recieved on the 10th. 1.40 Committed the body of the deceased to the deep.
Oct 15
A.M. Lieut. Ormond, Messrs Boyton & Mathews with part of the barges Crew taken on the 10 inst. joined the ship from Nan- tucket. P.M. Michael Kearney died of his wounds recieved on the 10th inst.
Sunday 16th October
P.M. Committed the body of the deceased to the deep with the usual ceremony. Saw a brig in the offing with a Flag at the Masthead which we could not make out. 7.30 Anchored here H.M. Brig Despatch.
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MARITIME NOTES
Mon. 17th Oct.
A.M. 5 Sailed H.M. brig Despatch. 8 Sent Launch for bul- locks.
Received two oxen and a quantity of hay.
P.M. rec'd 7 oxen and 52 Bushell of potatoes.
18th Oct.
P.M. Lighted anchor and shifted our berth in shore.
9.30 Spoke the Seaflower schooner from New York to Nan- tucket with Flour and Corn. Permitted her to pass.
20th Oct.
P.M. Spoke the Retaliation English Privateer from the squa- dron off New London.
24th Oct.
A.M. 214 lbs of fresh beef, 450 lbs of onions, 404 lbs of cabbages, 11 blls. of turnips & quantity of hay.
P.M. Fras. Toule [ ] & bliz at [ ] Smith [ ] left the cutter were taken up at the West end of Nantuck Iland on their way to desert to the enemy.
26th Oct.
A.M. Saw two sloops in the offing Standing in Shore.
LOG, H.M.S. "ALBION" John Ferris Devonshire, Captain
23 Dec. 1813
P.M. 2.30 Short'd Sail and came too in 12 fathoms in Tarpaulin Cove, Sent a boat on shore to examine the watering place.
27th Dec.
Still in Tarpaulin Cove. Daylight sent the boats for wood and water. Rec'd thirty two Quarters of fresh beef weighing 4,442 lbs purchased on shore by the Purser, Captain's orders, and paid for by Bills on the Commissioners.
28 Dec.
Weighed and made sail.
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
In the newspapers of Boston these same events were reported. The shipowner of Beacon Hill read the daily news anxiously, to see whether his vessels had been captured or had arrived safely in port.
Boston Daily Advertiser
Jan. 17, 1814
A gentleman from Martha's Vineyard informs that a British frigate anchored at Tarpaulin Cove on Saterday morning last, and on the same day her barge captured a Swedish schooner Drogden [Dragon] from Old Town bound to Gottenberg & carried her down to the Cove.
Jan. 18, 1814
The Swedish schooner Dragon from Edgartown to Gottenberg, . arrived at New Bedford on Sunday. ... The Dragon was boarded on Saturday by a barge from the Nimrod and per- mitted to proceed, and went into Tarpaulin Cove, where she left the Nimrod on Sunday Morning.
On Tuesday last a sloop, tender to the Albion 74, arrived with two 24 pounders (carronades) and manned with 60 men (20 of them marines) came into Vineyard Sound, and have been there ever since. On Tuesday she captured a sloop from New Bedford for Old Town, and chased another on shore at Holmes Hole. On Friday afternoon last she was at anchor in Tarpaulin Cove.
Arrived at New Bedford on Sunday last the smacks Dem- ocrat, Fox & Sophronia from Edgartown. On Saturday A.M. in coming up Woods Hole saw a barge belonging to the Nimrod (which was lying in Tarpaulin Cove) . The barge boarded a Brit- ish schooner and then followed the above smacks, but was pre- vented from capturing them by the inhabitants. The smacks were guarded until Sunday by the inhabitants when a breeze
Going out the port of Have de grave
TYPICAL SHIP OF EARLY 19TH CENTURY. PAINTED BY MONTARDIER IN 1810
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MARITIME NOTES
springing up they escaped, as three barges from the Nimrod ap- proached to make a second attack.
The sloop Two Brothers, with cattle from New Bedford for Nantucket in ballast, got on Green Island Reef, Woods Hole and when the packet passed she was seen on fire, and the people endeavoring to extinguish the flames, supposed to have been set on fire by the barges of the Nimrod.
On the same evening a large ship supposed to be the Albion 74 went into the Cove, and last evening an express arrived at Sandwich from Falmouth for the militia to go on there, as an attack was expected from the united forces of all the barges belonging to the ship and brig there, on that place.
Jan. 21, 1814
On Tuesday last 3 barges from the Nimrod 18 (at anchor in Tarpaulin Cove) went into Woods Hole for the purpose of set- ting fire to the sloop with cattle of Nantucket which was ashore there, and on approaching and seeing no person near, the men in the boats gave three cheers. At that instant a number of the militia, having assembled previously, and who were secreted out of view of the barges, opened a fire of musketry upon them on which they all lay down in their boats, and were carried out by the current. It was afterward ascertained that one man was killed, one severely wounded, and a ball went through a Lieu- tenants hat. ... On Wednesday the barges took the mail boat from Falmouth to Holmes Hole, and the barges returned to the Cove.
The barges of the Nimrod have lately made several unsuc- cessful attempts to capture vessels lying in Holmes Hole.
Jan. 28,
The British tender Dove and the Rosetta her prize, sailed from Tarpaulin Cove 12 inst. and have not yet returned to the Vine-
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
yard. The Swedish sch. Gustava, Nelsonburg from St. Barts for Boston, cargo molasses (between 17 & 18,000 gal.) arrived at Tarpaulin Cove, 20th. inst. On the morning of the 22nd. the privateer Retaliation, Freeman, & Liverpool Packet, Sealey, anchored there from a short cruise up Long Island, and sailed again next morning, said to be bound home, with the intention of giving up privateering during the embargo. On Saturday the Packet took possession of the Gustava, manned her out and ordered her for Halifax. The crew were landed same day. The privateersmen said they had been out a fortnight. ... The Retaliation had about 40 men and the Packet about 25. The night previous to their leaving the Cove, they landed and stole 6 sheep (half merino breed) and several turkeys belonging to Mr Withington.
The Gustava sailed from St. Barts 2nd. of Dec. ... She made the American coast Dec. 26th. and has been blown off twice since, lost several of her spars, her boats etc. split her sails to pieces, and her crew frost bitten. On 5th. of Jan. fell in with Juno & Tenedos and was supplied with fire having been 8 days without. Jan. 19 off No Mans Land saw a 74 chase and bring to a topsail schooner. Same day was boarded from the Nimrod brig just out of Tarpaulin Cove and treated politely.
No vessels in Tarpaulin Cove on Sunday last. It is reported that the Nimrod returned to that harbor on Tuesday.
Columbian Centinel
Feb. 1st.
The Westerwick [possibly Waterwich above mentioned] ar- rived at New Bedford on Sunday. She left at Tarpaulin Cove the night previous the Endymion Frigate [erroneously stated to be the Acasta ] and the Nimrod. ...
The Nimrod has captured a number of row boats belonging to the Vineyard, which have been armed with small cannonade or
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MARITIME NOTES
blunder busses. These with her own boats have been so stationed as to cut off all communication between the Vineyard and New Bedford, Falmouth and Nantucket.
Feb. 4th.
Capt. Smith of the schooner Bud of Salem; captured by the Albion, 74, was landed on the 26th. ult. on Plumb Island, to- gether with several other Captains of captured vessels.
He states that 39 prisoners remained on board the Albion, when those landed, left, belonging to vessels before heard of ; they were to be distributed among the ships. - On the 25th. Dec. (while the Albion lay in Tarpaulin Cove) the prisoners were given to understand that they should all be landed same day, and their paroles were actually making out, when two persons came off with a boat load of fresh beef, the man who came on board was habited as a Quaker, and being known to several of the pris- oners was openly accused of being a traitor, and given to under- stand as soon as they were released, they would cause him to be apprehended, the man in consequence of these threats, and fear- ful that if the prisoners were permitted to land immediately, he should be apprehended, applied to Capt. Devonshire for his as- sistance, who caused the prisoners to be detained, and those of them who had called the man a traitor, to be put in irons. The man after receiving his pay for the beef staid on board the ship until the 27th, when he went on shore, the other man said he had nothing to do with the business having merely come off to get a license for a vessel, which Capt. Devonshire refused to supply him with, and referred him to Com. Hardy as the proper person to give him one.
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