August 31. 1779
At 3AM we gave chase to two sails and at about 8AM we saw that they were the Poor Richard and Vengeance. We made our signal to them and then proceeded to chase another sail to windward. At about noon the prize struck her colors. I went with a crew of 30 men under Lt. Buckley to man the prize which proved to be the Letter of Marque Union coming from London for Quebec, laden with military supplies for the British in America. She mounted 22 nine pounders. At mid afternoon we saw the Poor Richard make signal for the Alliance to chase another sail to windward but Alliance did not respond. All afternoon the sea continued to rise making it difficult to bring off the prisoners, 55 in all who were drunk and threatened mutiny. After nearly being swamped some of us returned to the Alliance in her cutter after taking some of the English prisoners to the Poor Richard. Mr. Buckley was forced to remain on the prize with some of the other people.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
August 30. 1779
Last night we took a large prize, the Letter of Marque Betsy, John Fisher captain, 500 tons, 22 nine pounders, from Liverpool bound for Antigua loaded with cargo. We gave chase starting at half past midnight. When we got into her wake Cap. Landy ordered her to strike but instead we came under musket fire from her. She tried to come about to give us a broadside but Alliance raked her stern twice destroying much of her rigging at which point she struck her colors. It took until six AM before she was repaired and ready to sail. We took off her crew aboard the Alliance and they are under guard below decks. Our Masters Mate Thomas Fitzgerald was put on board of her as prize master along with several of our people. Mr. Fitzgerald was told to follow Alliance as best he could and if separated make his way to Bergen Norway or Dunkirk. We still have not seen the rest of our squadron these past three days but we continue to the northeast off the west coast of Scotland. We aim for Cape Wrath where is set a meeting place for our squadron.
Last night we took a large prize, the Letter of Marque Betsy, John Fisher captain, 500 tons, 22 nine pounders, from Liverpool bound for Antigua loaded with cargo. We gave chase starting at half past midnight. When we got into her wake Cap. Landy ordered her to strike but instead we came under musket fire from her. She tried to come about to give us a broadside but Alliance raked her stern twice destroying much of her rigging at which point she struck her colors. It took until six AM before she was repaired and ready to sail. We took off her crew aboard the Alliance and they are under guard below decks. Our Masters Mate Thomas Fitzgerald was put on board of her as prize master along with several of our people. Mr. Fitzgerald was told to follow Alliance as best he could and if separated make his way to Bergen Norway or Dunkirk. We still have not seen the rest of our squadron these past three days but we continue to the northeast off the west coast of Scotland. We aim for Cape Wrath where is set a meeting place for our squadron.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
August 27. 1779
Earlier today we continued waiting off the Irish coast to see if we could recover Cutting Lunt and his boat crew but a gale was brewing to the south and bearing down on us therefore the Poor Richard made signal this afternoon to prepare to get underway. Many of his former mates took it hard. At half past seven the Poor Richard made signal to stand to the NNW. The Richard led the way, followed by Vengeance, Pallas and then Alliance. The Richard fired a gun every quarter of an hour and we were able to make out her top lights until about midnight when Lt. Buckley reported to Cap. Landy that none of our squadron was in sight because of the heavy weather. At 3AM while I had the wheel, Cap. Landy ordered our course to be altered 2 points to the north as he explained the compass pointed falsely in this region of the coast of Ireland.
Earlier today we continued waiting off the Irish coast to see if we could recover Cutting Lunt and his boat crew but a gale was brewing to the south and bearing down on us therefore the Poor Richard made signal this afternoon to prepare to get underway. Many of his former mates took it hard. At half past seven the Poor Richard made signal to stand to the NNW. The Richard led the way, followed by Vengeance, Pallas and then Alliance. The Richard fired a gun every quarter of an hour and we were able to make out her top lights until about midnight when Lt. Buckley reported to Cap. Landy that none of our squadron was in sight because of the heavy weather. At 3AM while I had the wheel, Cap. Landy ordered our course to be altered 2 points to the north as he explained the compass pointed falsely in this region of the coast of Ireland.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
August 26. 1779
We spoke the Poor Richard today and she reported that neither Master Lunt’s boat nor the Cerf have been seen all day. Guns were fired throughout the day but to no effect. The prize taken by the Poor Richard’s boats the day before yesterday proved to be the brigantine Fortune bound from Newfoundland to Bristol laden with blubber oil and staves.
We spoke the Poor Richard today and she reported that neither Master Lunt’s boat nor the Cerf have been seen all day. Guns were fired throughout the day but to no effect. The prize taken by the Poor Richard’s boats the day before yesterday proved to be the brigantine Fortune bound from Newfoundland to Bristol laden with blubber oil and staves.
Monday, August 25, 2008
August 25. 1779
Last evening about 10PM we heard the Poor Richard fire a gun but she made no signal and this morning at 8AM we saw the Cerf Cutter set all sail towards the Irish Coast. Today we hear that as Poor Richard drifted towards shore last evening she sent out her barge to tow her around. About 10PM the people on the barge, several of them being British, cut the tow line and made for shore to escape. Cutting Lunt, the Richard’s master and some men set out after them in the jolly boat and have not since returned, it being foggy. The Poor Richard has been firing guns throughout the day to recall her boat and the Cerf. This we hear from Captain Landy after his being on board the Richard again today to confer with Cap. Jones.
Last evening about 10PM we heard the Poor Richard fire a gun but she made no signal and this morning at 8AM we saw the Cerf Cutter set all sail towards the Irish Coast. Today we hear that as Poor Richard drifted towards shore last evening she sent out her barge to tow her around. About 10PM the people on the barge, several of them being British, cut the tow line and made for shore to escape. Cutting Lunt, the Richard’s master and some men set out after them in the jolly boat and have not since returned, it being foggy. The Poor Richard has been firing guns throughout the day to recall her boat and the Cerf. This we hear from Captain Landy after his being on board the Richard again today to confer with Cap. Jones.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
August 24. 1779
At 11AM we saw a sail to the NNW and made signal to the squadron and then set all sails to make chase. As we passed the Poor Richard at about 1PM she made signal for us to drop behind her and accordingly we did so. At 3PM it became calm and our ships could make no way. The Poor Richard’s boats were sent after the chase which was about 5 miles ahead and have yet to return. In the later afternoon the Poor Richard made signal for all captains to go on board of her.
At 11AM we saw a sail to the NNW and made signal to the squadron and then set all sails to make chase. As we passed the Poor Richard at about 1PM she made signal for us to drop behind her and accordingly we did so. At 3PM it became calm and our ships could make no way. The Poor Richard’s boats were sent after the chase which was about 5 miles ahead and have yet to return. In the later afternoon the Poor Richard made signal for all captains to go on board of her.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
August 23. 1779
Pleasant weather at meridian. At 1AM the Pallas appeared on our weather beam after being out of site of the squadron. The Poor Richard who was ahead of us fired three shots at Pallas perhaps thinking her to be an enemy vessel. The Richard tacked about but without signals that we could discern putting her on a tack contrary to ours. Soon she almost came aboard of us. Cap. Landy ordered mainsail haul putting our sails on the masts and the Richard put her helm hard alee so that she passed safely by. It was reported that Lt. Degge who was on our forecastle at the time swore up and down at the poor seamanship of the Poor Richard. At 8AM we raised the Irish coast.
Pleasant weather at meridian. At 1AM the Pallas appeared on our weather beam after being out of site of the squadron. The Poor Richard who was ahead of us fired three shots at Pallas perhaps thinking her to be an enemy vessel. The Richard tacked about but without signals that we could discern putting her on a tack contrary to ours. Soon she almost came aboard of us. Cap. Landy ordered mainsail haul putting our sails on the masts and the Richard put her helm hard alee so that she passed safely by. It was reported that Lt. Degge who was on our forecastle at the time swore up and down at the poor seamanship of the Poor Richard. At 8AM we raised the Irish coast.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
