History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 10

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason
Number of Pages: 1170

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The extensive coast line of New England naturally made its people a maritime race. Its forests furnished excellent timber, its shores conven- ient places for the building of ships, its homes a sturdy host of artisans to

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

build, and intrepid seaman to man these vessels that became the carriers of merchandise over the wide seas. When hostilities with the mother country began, the sea-going traffic of every description was seriously crippled, and but a few vessels ventured out of the harbors for fear of the British cruisers that swarmed our coasts. This was especially true of Dartmouth. The whaling enterprise, grown to extensive proportions in 1775, was paralyzed the moment war broke out in the colonies. The whaleships lay idle at the wharves, and a host of energetic, daring men were without occupation. The development of the naval and privateer- ing elements was as rapid as it was effective.

In October, 1775, Washington, then with headquarters at Cambridge, issued the first commissions to six vessels, with authority to capture only English supply vessels. Their names were the Lynch, Franklin, Lee, Washington, Harrison and Warren. The first two named were commissioned to intercept two English transports bound for Quebec. This they failed to do, but they captured ten prizes, took a fortification at St. John, and made prisoners of the governor and many others. On their return, however, the commanders were reprimanded for exceed- ing their orders, the prisoners were released, and the prizes given up. In the following month the Lee captured the ship Nancy, loaded with mili- tary stores. This event gave great joy to the Americans and carried profound consternation to the besieged in Boston. Well it might, for it provided for the American army 2,000 muskets, 105,000 flints, sixty reams of cartridge paper, thirty tons of musket shot, 3,000 round shot for 12-pounders, 4,000 for 6-pounders, etc.,-a welcome contribution at that time.

The importance of this branch of warfare was quickly appreciated by the Continental Congress, and a fleet of thirteen vessels was built that may be regarded as the beginning of the United States navy. They were named Washington, Raleigh, Hancock, Randolph, Warren, Vir- ginia, Trumbull, Effingham, Congress, Providence, Boston, Delaware, Montgomery. They were nearly all captured or burned before the close of the war. In the mean time commissions to privateers were issued by every State bordering the coast, and prize courts established with au- thority.to condemn such vessels as were claimed as prizes. In many of the seaport towns, vessels hitherto employed only in the peaceful pur-

ENGLAND'S LOSSES IN VESSELS.

suits of commerce, were transformed into well-armed privateers, officered with brave and daring seamen accustomed to life on the ocean. So popu- lar was privateering among the people that the government found serious difficulty in obtaining crews for the naval vessels. Patriotism, com- bined with the free and easy life of the bold privateer, the frequent op- portunities for personal bravery, and the desire for prize money, were strong attractions that drew into the service thousands of New Eng- landers. Reliable authorities state that during the war more than 600 privateer vessels belonged in Massachusetts alone. Boston had a list of 365 ; Salem nearly 150. Dr. E. E. Hale, in Winsor's "Narrative and Critical History," says : " If we had lists equally full of the privateers which sailed from Falmouth (Portland), from Marblehead, Falmouth, Dartmouth, Plymouth, Barnstable, and the other towns on Cape Cod, it is probable that we should enlarge the list of Massachusetts privateers so that it should include more than 600 vessels. It is to be remem- bered that all the regular operations of the fishing fleets were stopped, and that therefore in every town on the coast there were vessels and men ready for service, and very easily commissioned if a spirited com- mander appeared. . We suppose that the average crew of a Massachusetts privateer when she sailed was about 100 men."

On the authority of Almon's Remembrancer it is stated that in 1776, 342 sail of English vessels were captured by the Americans; and in 1777 England suffered a loss of 467 sail, though the government kept seventy cruisers on the American coast alone. In 1780 the Admiralty Court in Boston had condemned 818 prizes, and in the single month of May, 1779, eighteen prizes were brought into New London. A suffi- cient account of this branch of the warfare has been and will be given, to show the importance of certain ports on the coast possessing good harbors, easy of access, and convenient for recruiting and for running in prizes. Among these were Portland, Portsmouth, Boston, Salem, New- buryport, Marblehead, Falmouth, Newport, New London, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, and not the least important in the list was Dartmouth. These were the lurking places for the dashing privateers which shot in and out of the harbors, threading the coast in all directions, disappearing at the presence of some English frigate, only to dash out and pounce on some unsuspicious merchantman, a hail, a

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

shot across the bows, a crowded boat alongside, decks swarming with men armed to the teeth, a feeble remonstrance, a surrender, and the combat ends; the merchantman is a prize and is soon at anchor at Dartmouth, possibly, or in some more convenient harbor.

A few occurrences and exploits connected with privateering will be mentioned, to illustrate what has been said regarding it. The most convincing proof of its magnitude and importance, however, in the ab- sence of records, is the fact that General Clinton sent such an enormous army to lay waste the little township of Dartmouth, which at that time numbered about 7,000 souls. And not only did Dartmouth feel the revengeful hand of British authority, but towns, villages and hamlets bordering the entire sea coast received similar visitations, that caused great suffering and want among the people through the destruction of property and the desolation of their homes.

In the lack of written history of American privateering, it has been my good fortune to have access to valuable manuscripts in possession of the Stoddard family of Fairhaven. Many of the extracts are cred- ited as being made by Rev. Dr. Robbins of Rochester. These were taken from the files of the Connecticut Courant from the year 1780 to 1783 inclusive. Others are from English magazines. While the rec- ord deals with dates as early as 1776, it is evident that the principal work of the privateering fleet was accomplished from 1778 to the close of the war.

"In June, 1776, brig Adventure. A party of American soldiers from Boston cap- tured a brig off the harbor : beat off the tender to the Nautilus man-of-war, and carried their prize into New Bedford.

" Ship Congress, Capt. Boucher in 1776 captured several Jamaica ships in the West Indies. Lt. Thomas Truxton (afterward Commodore Truxton), brought one of the prizes into New Bedford.

" The fleet under Com. Sir Peter Parker, with troops under Sir H. Clinton, left Sandy Hook for Rhode Island, and at Weaver's bay the evening of the 7th, (the Bruno-Mer- cury. King Fisher, convoying the transports, went through the sound under Com. Hol- tham. Sir P. P .. with the large ships and two transports, went outside.)

" The two fleets joined on the 5th in Black point bay. Capt. Wallace, of the Experi- ment led the fleet in by the way of Narragansett and took a brig of 160 tons, loaded with staves and beeswax. The debarkation took place at daybreak on the 8th. Rhode Island, with adjacent isles, is in possession of the British. Capt. Montague, of the Mer- cury. was dispatched to England."

Tomel

IOI

PAUL JONES.

In the magazine for January, 1777, is a dispatch from Admiral Sir Peter Parker, acquainting the admiralty of the expedition to Rhode Island, which closes as follows :

" On the first appearance of the fleet three rebel privateers of 34, 30, and 28 guns went up from Newport to Providence, where they are now with several others, and I shall hope to put an effectual stop to any farther mischief from that nest of pirates."

Then followed a list of what they termed "the rebel privateers at Providence, commonly called the Continental fleet."

The most conspicuous figure in naval history was Paul Jones. He had no equal as a brave privateer. A Scotcliman by birth, he became a sailor, at twenty-nine was commissioned a lieutenant in the navy, and was associated with Hopkins in the Alfred in 1776. Jones himself on this ship unfurled the American flag the first time it was flung to the breeze. Soon afterward he took command of the Providence, a fast sailing craft of twelve guns. His first cruise lasted forty-seven days, dur- ing which he captured sixteen prizes. During his famous career he swept the British coast, carried terror to the seaport towns, burned British vessels in their harbors, and actually cleared the British channel of merchantmen for a time. While in command of the Providence his cruising ground made him a frequent visitor in Dartmouth harbor, and his crew was often recruited from Dartmouth men. Among these was Henry Perkins, of Boston Tea Party fame, who related most interesting tales of the fierce fights in which he was engaged under Paul Jones, some of which occurred off our coast.

In a terrible encounter with a British brig- of-war of superior strength it was said that the Providence was covered with cotton bales to pro- tect her from the large shot of the enemy, and was provided with a lot of scrap iron that belonged to a Mr. East, a mason, who built the man- sion House in New Bedford, then the residence of William Rotch. The struggle was a terrific one, and after an obstinate contest the enemy struck his flag. It was quickly flung to the breeze again and hoisted into position. After a tremendous broadside from the guns of the Providenee, loaded with old spikes, bolts, and pieces of hoop iron, the brig finally surrendered. "Why," said Perkins, thumping the floor with his cane in his enthusiasm, "it took three men to handle each gun when we went into action, but before the fight was finished one man did the

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

same service." When the commander was asked why he replaced the flag, he said, "I couldn't bear the idea of striking to a serving mallet." Not much wonder that he felt mortified, for he had accosted Capt. Paul Jones with the hail and command, "Surrender, you d- d old serving mallet " (referring to the Providence as having only one mast). This battle took place so near this port that Jones brought his prize into Dartmouth harbor; and it is said that the blood of the killed and wounded was running down the sides of the brig when she came into port.

A writer in the New Bedford Mercury years ago, stated that "the wounded of the crew who died were brought on shore and interred in a small hillock that rose near the shore a short distance north of the spot once occupied by the wheel-house of William Rotch's ropewalk. A carpenter's shop built by William Coffin covers the ground where those men were buried." 1

The following extracts are chiefly taken from the English magazines and, of course, relate to the captures made by the British navy. The list might be largely extended. The American privateers were also busy at that time, and, if records existed, it would doubtless appear that they did equally effective work :

"Admiralty office, June 27, 1777. Capt. Griffith of Her Majesty's ship the Nonsuch [64] has sent to Plymouth a rebel privateer sloop of 10 carriage guns and 80 men, called the Charming Sally, Francis Brown commander, which he took on the 16th inst. to the W. of Cape Finistere. She belonged to Dartmouth in Mass. Bay, had been out about five weeks, and had taken a sch. called the Betsey, William Clarke master, from Gaspee to Jamaica, and a brig called the Hannah, Henry Beaty master, from New- foundland to Lisbon, both laden with fish."

"Jan. 29, 1777. The Anrora, John Hutchinson master, late the Oxford of Glasgow, taken by the rebels with a party of the 71st regiment on board, and carried into Virginia, is brought into Liverpool laden with 312 Hhds. on acct. of the Congress and bound to Nantz. She was navigated by 15 men, 8 being Englishmen, rose upon the others and took the ship."

" List of vessels taken by the squadron of Sir P. Parker, Dec. 7, 1776. Ship Polly, Robert Nelson master, 160 tons, from N. C. to Lisbon; Dec. 18, the Betsey, James Sut-

1 When Mr. C. built'his shop, in 1830, he levelled this mound, unearthed these skeletons, and buried them a few feet north of the building. His son Frederick, from whom these facts were obtained by the writer in 1889, was present at the time and secured two buttons found in the grave each bearing the figure 2 and a letter. In 1841 an addition was made to the shop, and the bones were again resurrected and reburied a short distance still further north. In September, 1889, they were again dug up in excavating for an addition to Edmund Grinnell's iron foundry. Dr. William H. Taylor, the medical examiner, emphatically stated that these skeletons were those of white men. Their present resting place is in Oak Grove Cemetery.

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CAPTURES BY THE BRITISH.

ton, from Sp. river, Cape Breton, to Lisbon ; Dec. 29, the Success, Giles Pierce, from Charleston, S. C., to Providence ; Dec. 30, the Betty, I. Pierce, from Jamaica to Lon- donderry ; Dec. 30, the Liberty, Solomon Phipps, from N. London to W. Indies.

Signed, P. PARKER."

" Feb. 28, 1777. Extract of a letter from Antigua, Jan. 17, 1777: Last Wednesday arrived here, brig Peace & Plenty, John Nalder commander, belonging to this island. The 8th inst. was brought to by an Am, privateer, who put a boat's crew and officer on board. In gale of wind parted them, when Capt. Nalder and his crew fell upon the rebels and overpowered them. Secured them under hatches and brot them into this place. The privateer was Achilles Snow, of 12 car. guns and 16 swivels, commanded by one Williams, formerly a midshipman in the English navy."

" Admy, Mch 12, 1777. By letter from Admiral Young it appears that he has taken the Am. Privateer Putnam 12 guns and 80 men, beside 12 other rebel vessels between 30th Sept & 6th Dec."

"June 24. Vice Admiral Gayton on the Jamaica Station writes in his letter of 2d last month that the whole number of rebel vessels which had been taken by the ships under his command amonnted to 124 sail."

"Sept. 3, 1777. Lieut. Jarvis, commanding armed cutter, took the Am. privateer Liberty, of S. Carolina, Pitney, commander, off the Berry Head, after a warm engage- ment of 5 Glasses, [Hours.] She mounted 6 four-pounders and six swivel guns, had 62 men. Five men killed and captain wounded. Hunters had 4 men killed and 3 wounded slightly."

" Admy office, Oct. 6, 1777. Lient. Bouchier, commanding H. M. sloop Druid, writes that he had a severe action with a rebel privateer in Co. with H. M. ship the Camel. The Drnid lost her captain, who was named Cartent, and died of a wound recd. the first broadside, and six killed; 4 died of wounds received in action and 21 wounded."

" H. M. Ship Centaur at sea, Oct. 16, 1777. Capt. Hughes of the above ship writes that on the 12th he fell in with and took the Am. schr. Betsey from Nantz, bound to Edenton, N. C., laden with gunpowder, arms, tents and woolen for the rebel army, all consigned to Congress."

"Nov. 6, 1777, Vice Adml. Montague writes that Cap. M'Bride of H. M. Ship Bien- faisant had taken the Am. Privateer Ann Tartar. 24 guns, 200 men."

" July 9, 1778. Universal Magazine. Capt. Bryne of H. M. ship Andromeda writes to M. Stephens that on his voyage from the Delaware on the 31st of May he fell in with and took the Angelica, privateer, from Boston, 16 six-pounders, 98 men, set on fire."

" Aug. 28, 1778. The Swallow. packet, on board which was Marleani, agent of the Nabob of Arcot, with it is supposed £100,000 of property was carried into Fayal by two American privateers. They took her off the Cape of Good Ilope, and after disposing of her property converted her into a privateer and sailed in company on a fresh adven- ture."

" Jan. 25, 1780. Extract from letter from Bergen, Feb. 4. The American priv. Al- liance, Capt Landers, two days ago sent in her 2 prizes, viz. The Betsey Fisher from

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

Liverpool to N York, and the Union Johnson from London to Quebeck. She has taken also 3 others which she sent to France she only sailed from L' Orient Aug 14. One of Paul Jones fleet."

"Boston, Feb. 14. By Capt. Potter who arrived here last night in 20 days from Charlestown, S. C., we learn that the Boston, Providence, Ranger and Queen of France which sailed from hence the latter part of November, arrived at that port the 19th Dec., after a passage of 26 days."

"Took a Brig of 12 Guns from St. Augustine that a Packet boat had decoyed in there, a Privateer brig called the Lady Crosby of 12 guns and 18 men from N. Y., laden with cloathing for the new levies there, not knowing but she was going into Georgia by which they learnt that the fleet from N. Y. bound to Georgia which sailed & the latter end of Dec. had been separated by the storm that scarcely 2 vessels were to be seen together. That in consequence the Providence & Ranger in conjunction with 4 French Frigates sailed from there on or about the 23d January in order to pick up some of the scattered transports."

" Portsmouth, July 20. Last Monday was sent into port by the Rover, privateer, com- manded by Capt. Bradstreet, a Priv. Brig from Ireland, bound to New Foundland, laden with the following articles, viz. : 250 barrels pork and beef, 200 firkins butter, 10 tons flour, 10 tons bread, 50 barrels oatmeal, 500 bushels salt, and a large cable fit for a 70 gun ship and a large quantity of cordage, sails, etc. The Privateer that took her was a small schooner with 15 or 20 men."

"Boston, June 8, 1780. Monday last arrived at Dartmouth a brig bound from Cork to New York, taken by H. M. C. M. Frigate L'Hermione, commanded by the Chevarle Touche. Cargo 1760 firkins Butter, 150 Boxes Candles, & 150 boxes Soap. The prize is now commanded by Mons. Louis Daniel Charier volunteer of the Frigate.

"Boston, July 27, 1780. Tuesday arrived at Salem a prize ship with upwards of 1000 bbls. of Beef captured by priv. Fortune of that port. Last week arrived at Cape Ann the priv. Genl. Stark from a Cruise in which she captured 3 Ships bound to Quebec, laden with rum and dry goods, one of which has since arrd."

" Hartford, Jan. 16, 1781. A few days since a Schooner arrd. at Newport in 6 days from Wilmington, N. C., being manned by several people belonging to Rhode Island, who had made their escape from a Prison Ship in Charleston, S. C., in the following manner : One evening observing a Schooner come to anchor near the prison ship with several negroes on board, they took an opportunity while the sentry was off his guard to get from the prison ship on board the Schooner, and immediately making sail they got out of the Harbor. They afterward put into Wilmington, where they sold the negroes, and with the money, bought a cargo of Naval Stores, with which they arrived safe at Newport."

"New London, Sept. 12, 1781. Tuesday arrived a small sloop laden with naval stores, prize to the Hancock. The Br. fleet that left the sound lately were at Martha's Vineyard last week demanding large supplies from the inhabitants. Since seen standing S."

" Philadelphia, Sept. 19, 1781. Yesterday came up to town the private armed ship

105

HON. WESTON HOWLAND'S ACCOUNT.

Congress, Capt. Gaddis, of this port, from a cruise. About seven days ago off Charles- town she fell in with the Br. sloop of war Savage, Capt. Stirting, of 20 guns, with whom she engaged upwards of six glasses, most of the time yard arm and yard arm, when the Congress attempting to board her, she struck. We hear that the Savage had between fifty and sixty men killed and wounded, and the Congress 8 killed and between 20 and 30 wounded, some of whom are now dead. The C. brot in near 100 prison- ers from the prize, which may be hourly expected."

"C. C. March 5, London Nov. 10. The Iris man-of-war taken in company with the Richmond and Gaudelope by the French is an American built vessel, was called the Hancock, taken by H. M. ship Rainbow of 44 guns. She is a prime sailer, and since be- ing in our service has taken so many prizes in America that the officers have all made fortunes. She was distinguished by the name of the lucky Iris."

" The S. C. Gaz. of Jan. 12 says that Capt. Samuel Spencer in the Brig. Betsey from Georgia for the port of Charleston with upwards of 100 souls on board was taken by the Guadelope (Br. Frigate) Captain Robinson, who treated his prisoners with great human- ity and generosity."

"Capt. Simeon Samson, in the Mercury packet belonging to the U. S., arrived at Holmes Hole last Tuesday night from Nantz. in France, which he left 18th Nov, with despatches for Congress. Passr. Elisha Hunt Saybrook."

Hon. Weston Howland gives the following interesting account relat- ing to privateering, mentioning many family names that are familiar to New Bedford citizens :

" In those days American vessels were manned by Americans, captains, officers and crews. It was customary for the crews to engage their services for so much per month, with liberty to take a certain amount of cargo on their own account for the purpose of trade. Quite early in the war (1778 or '79), Captain Daniel Ricketson, grandfather of our present honored and exemplary citizen and historian. with Cornelius Howland, grandfather of the present Cornelius Howland, Jr., as mate, Cornelius Grinnell, father of the late Hon. Joseph Grinnell, and Weston Howland (my grandfather), with other Dartmouth boys in the crew, sailed from Boston with a full cargo for foreign ports. Each of the above mentioned carried their venture for trade, purchased with the money saved up from previous voyages. A few days from home they were captured by an English 74-gun ship, and were taken with the Brig to the Island of Bermuda, and there confined as prisoners on board the prison ship. In a short time a Baltimore clipper schooner as a prize, was brought in, which the Governor of the island had fitted as a yacht for pleasure sailing about the group of islands. Among those he took for a crew were Cornelius Howland, Cornelius Grinnell and Weston Howland, and now as yacht- men they were faring sumptuously. Yet the restless Yankee spirit led them, under the lead of Cornelius Howland, to conspire and plan on their next excursion to capture the schooner, and bring the Governor, with his suite, into New York or Boston, and it would have been successful but for the conscience of one of the Dartmouth boys, wl.o claimed that they had all been treated so handsomely by the Governor that it would be wrong to attempt the capture, and to prevent it, he notified the Governor of the yacht.

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

when they were all taken out of the clipper schooner and kept as close prisoners until exchanged, when they returned to their homes in Dartmouth."

The records reveal abundant illustrations of valor and prowess. In spite of the suffering and cruelty involved, there is a charm about those terrible conflicts on the sea. Think of that great fleet of merchant ves- sels under the convoy of British frigates that sailed from Torquay on May 30, 1780, thirty-eight sail in all, richly laden with ammunition and military stores, provisions and supplies of every kind, West India goods for soldier and citizen-all intended for Quebec, the base of supplies for the English army. What a magnificent sight that fleet must have been as it swept out into the broad ocean !

Three days out, a French fleet of war vessels swept down upon the fleet and captured seven of them. A number of American privateers then took a hand in the affair and captured nineteen. The remainder of the squadron was nearly all captured by American cruisers at the mouth of the St. Lawrence. It was a crushing blow to the province of Canada, and must have caused great suffering to its people and the Brit- ish army. It was estimated that each prize was worth £20,000, and the captured cargoes were well adapted to the wants of the Americans.

A few days after this event is recorded the arrival at Salem of the ship Brutus, which, in company with the America and the Saucy Jack, privateers, had captured ten richly laden vessels of the Quebec fleet.

In January, 1782, the brig Marian, Captain Packwood, captured the British ship St. Lawrence. A prize crew of ten men, under command of Lieutenant Cardwile, was put on board, with orders to proceed to New London, or the first safe port. On the 11th of January they sighted Martha's Vineyard and anchored off Old Town (Edgartown), and fired two guns for a pilot. Henry Fish, with five men, came on board and was given charge of the ship by Cardwile. While getting under way another pilot, with the same number of men, came on board. Soon afterward Captain Peter Pease, with five men, put in an appearance. The presence of so many pilots on one vessel proved an unfortunate circumstance for the captors; for while the ship was working its way to the westward under the direction of Fish, Pease was below with Card- wile (who was sick) and persuaded him to give the charge of the craft to P'ease. On gaining his consent he brought the vessel to anchor off

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History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 10

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason
Number of Pages: 1170