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Massachusetts Privateer Ship Belisarius |
| Belisarius [Bellisarius] | |
| Frigate | Commander James Munro |
| Massachusetts Privateer Ship | 14 April 1781-6 August 1781 |
| Commissioned/First Date: | 14 April 1781 |
| Out of Service/Cause: | 6 August 1781/captured HM Frigates Amphitrite and Medea and British Privateer Ship Virginia |
| Owners: | William and John Shattuck of Boston, Massachusetts |
| Tonnage: | 487, 500, 514 |
| Battery: | Date Reported: 14 April 1781 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 20/9 pounder 180 pounds 90 pounds Total: 20 cannon/180 pounds Broadside: 10 cannon/90 pounds Swivels: Date Reported: 6 August 1781 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 20/ Total: 20 cannon/ Broadside: 10 cannon/ Swivels: Date Reported: 20 August 1781 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 24/9 pounder 216 pounds 108 pounds Total: 24 cannon/216 pounds Broadside: 12 cannon/108 pounds Swivels: Date Reported: 28 August 1781 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 24/ Total: 24 cannon/ Broadside: 12 cannon/ Swivels: Date Reported: 12 September 1781 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 20/9 pounder 180 pounds 90 pounds 4/6 pounder 24 pounds 12 pounds Total: 24 cannon/204 pounds Broadside: 12 cannon/102 pounds Swivels: Date Reported: 26 September 1781 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 24/ Total: 24 cannon/ Broadside: 12 cannon/ Swivels: |
| Crew: | (1) 14 April 1781: 201 [total]
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| Description: | Newly built, “A very fast miniature frigate or quarterdeck sloop” built by “Mr. Paul” to a design of John Peck, 118'9" length on the deck, 100'8" length on the keel, 30'2" beam, 15' depth in the hold [164' length on the deck with a beam of 27'6"] with a figurehead of the Roman general Belisarius. |
| Officers: | 1) First Lieutenant James Hawkins, 14 April 1781-6 August 1781; (2) Second Lieutenant Samuel Warner, 14 April 1781-6 August 1781 |
| Cruises: | 1) Boston, Massachusetts to the West Indies and return, 6 May 1781-6 August 1781 |
| Prizes: | (1) Schooner Recovery (Vicary) [June] 1781
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| Actions: |
Comments:
Massachusetts Privateer Ship Belisarius [Bellisarius] was “A very fast miniature frigate or quarterdeck sloop” built by one “Mr. Paul”1 at Boston, Massachusetts in early 1781. Belisarius measured 118'9" length on the deck, 100'8" length on the keel, 30'2" beam, and 15' depth in the hold; she calculated at just over 487 tons.2 Another source indicates she was 164' length on the deck with a beam of 27'6", with a tonnage of 514.3 The Americans estimated her as 500 tons, certainly big enough to qualify as a frigate.4 One of her crew members, William Drowne, described her as an “elegant and beautiful new ship, frigate built, of newest construction, mounting twenty nine pounders. The image on her head is the representation of that noble virtuous old Roman General Belisarius from whom she takes her name.”5 Another crewman was Ebenezer Robinson. He later referred to Belisarius as carrying twenty guns, and with a crew, “including officers, sailors, and soldiers” of 125 men.6
Belisarius was designed by the somewhat noted naval architect John Peck.7 She was built at Boston. Joshua Humphreys, the noted naval architect, said she was “one of the fastest sailing ships that swam the Seas.” Humphreys gave the following measurements for the ship: 110'10" length on the main deck, 93'8" length on the keel, 30'6" beam, and 15'6" depth of hold to the gun deck.8
Belisarius [Bellisarius] was commissioned on 14 April 1781 under Commander James Munro of Providence, Rhode Island. She was listed as having a battery of twenty guns and a crew of 200 men. Her $20000 bond was signed by Munro and William and John Shattuck of Boston, Massachusetts.9 The Shattucks are listed as her owners.10 In an advertisement for recruits, published on 5 April, Belisarius was described as a “fast sailing . . . Frigate built” vessel, armed with 9-pounders. She was to sail about 23 April.11
There exists a most interesting document: the signing articles for the Belisarius. The first signature is that of James Munro, as Captain, with eight shares. James Hawkins signed as First Lieutenant (five shares) and Samuel Warner as Second Lieutenant (five shares). The total list amounts to 151 men and boys. The printed header clearly indicates that the owners will receive half of the prizes captured.12
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Shipping articles for the privateer Belisarius. |
Robinson relates an unfortunate incident of the voyage, that he says occurred in the area of the Equator: “ . . . where one day we discovered at early dawn what appeared in the dim distance to be a ship. We gave chase and after the lapse of many hours so neared the “stranger” that we were within cannon range of her.”
“It was a much larger ship than our own and carried many more guns. We supposed her a heavy man-of-war of the British line and began to prepare our noble vessel for an engagement. As is the custom in such instances, or in naval contests, all the sails were furled except the top sails and some of the stay sails, which were just sufficient to govern the ships and change her position when necessary. Our cannon were charged and our torches were burning, and we waited but a change of position before we should salute her with a broadside.”
“Meanwhile our enemy had ceased her flight, furled sail, cleared deck, prepared for fight, and was the first to discharge her cannon. This assault was unexpected by us, as it was not attended with the usual formalities of naval warfare on the part of the stranger. In view of this cowardly act our commander at once ordered us to draw alongside the unknown ship, to grapple and board her as quickly as possible, but no sooner was this movement commenced than to our great surprise, not to say our chagrin, the vessel, which we had regarded all along as an English man-of-war, hoisted Spanish colors, and thereby took away all pretext of warfare, except the ill treatment we had received. Capt Munroe was at first inclined to resent this indignity, this violation of the usages of allied nations in their intercourse on the high seas in time of war. He however gave vent to his irritation and anger by addressing the Spanish Commander in the most pre-emptory and decisive manner and terms, in relation to his cowardly, dastardly conduct.”
“The Spanish Captain very coolly submitted and offered to accompany us and to do us service when he could. The reply of Capt Munroe was in these laconic words. ‘Go your way. I prefer rather to be alone than attended by such a d—d coward as you have shown yourself,’ and so we separated.”18
The Spanish ship was HCM Frigate Eagle (Don Auguistan D. Salazar). Salazar claimed that the “new construction and rigging of the Belisarius made him mistake her for an English ship, although at the time they were flying the American colors.” One man was killed and one mortally wounded by the Spanish broadside, which also damaged the American. The wounded man died and clerk William Drowne officiated as clergyman for the funeral.19
Munro now headed for home. He met Massachusetts Privateer Ship Aurora (Commander David Porter) sailed together for a time.20 On the morning of 6 August 1781,21 off the Delaware Capes,22 the ship was enveloped in fog.23 Robinson takes up the story: “ . . . early one morning we discovered a fleet composed of several ships, yet at the distance they were from us, we could not discern their number. They were steering directly toward us and bore every evidence, as they afterwards proved to be, of being a fleet of the British line. We endeavored to make our escape by flight. They gave us chase and followed in hot pursuit until past midday. During their pursuit, when they had gained upon us so much as to be within cannon range, they gave us occasional shots from the bow or gunwale of the ship, though without much injury to our ship or crew. One of these shots however, took off both legs, close to the body, of a man who stood next to me, on my left hand, and at the same instant a splinter from the side of the vessel struck my foot and benumbed my whole leg, from which I suffered much. The fleet neared us and it being satisfactorily determined that it was a British fleet consisting of fourteen ships, five of which were larger than our own, and all hope of escape being abandoned, we concluded to surrender.”24
Peck, the designer of the ship, indicated later his opinion that the ship had gone to sea without sweeps. As she was taken in a near calm, she might have escaped had these been aboard.25
Belisarius had met HM Frigates Amphitrite (24 guns) and Medea (28 guns) and British Privateer Ship Virginia, a copper bottomed vessel.26 Commodore Affleck referred to her as “a very fast-sailing Frigate of 20 Guns and 147 Men.”27 “We were divided among the ships of the enemy being about twenty persons to each. We were well treated while in this situation. The fleet directed its course to New York city . . .” said Robinson.28
Belsarius was sent into New York and was there by 13 August. The British reported her battery as twenty-four 9-pounders and her crew as 150 men.29 The Americans had the news rather quickly, in a garbled form: on 27 August 1781 the Boston Gazette reported that the Belisarius had been captured by a ship of twenty guns and two brigs of sixteen guns each and taken into New York.30
Belisarius (listed as Behsarius) was tried and condemned at New York.31 Belisarius (listed as Beliaurius) was purchased into the Royal Navy, at New York, on 28 August 1781. She was described as measuring 500 tons. According to Admiral Graves she was a “Rebel Frigate New — ” and was listed as having twenty-four guns and a crew of 160 men.32 In British service she was carried as a 6th rate 24-gun frigate, armed with twenty 9-pounders and four 6-pounders, which was probably her battery as an American cruiser.33
As for the prisoners: “ . . . we were all put on board the “Old Jersey the notorious British prison ship,” then lying up East river above the city, and entirely without rigging. We had been cruising about three months when we were captured . . .”34
Robinson describes the time aboard the Jersey as follows: “Our sufferings while confined in this old hull of a ship were unaccountably severe, and many of our number perished on account of the stench, the damp deathly atmosphere in which we were confined, and the miserable food which was furnished us, whereby to support life.”
“It may not be uninteresting to know of what our fare consisted and what humanity is capable of enduring, when controlled by the force of necessity The account is brief, but heart sickening. Bread was a constant part of our ration and the chief source of our nutriment. It came to our hands in any but a palatable condition. The loaves were badly eaten by insects and then abandoned by them, or well inhabited by vermin on their reception by us. Portions of it appeared very much like honey-comb filled with the dry refuse matter of worms. What was not in this [104] condition was very full, I had almost said literally alive, with insects, insomuch that it was impossible for us to get them all out, and we were obliged consequently to devour these animated communities, these bee hives of activity, or be reduced to the utmost of wretchedness and starvation, the worst of deaths, that of famine. Besides our bread we had pease twice a week. When the day came in which we were to have boiled pease, the steward would put about two bushels into a large kettle with a quantity of water and boil them. I have stood by the side of this kettle while its contents were becoming heated, and have seen yellow worms rise to the surface in large quantities, and as the water became more and more heated, they would gather into large clusters, swim upon the surface during the entire process of boiling, affording the only seasoning or condiment to our repast. I have often found these bunches in my own mess. Many times it was with difficulty that I could prevent nausea. It was under these circumstances that I was induced, indeed almost compelled, to use tobacco, and this is now my best apology for acquiring this habit, as it has followed me ever since. ”
“During the latter part of the time of my imprisonment I had the small pox, but began to recover before arrangements were made for our exchange. I was a prisoner aboard the “Old Jersey” about six months. We were exchanged, conveyed, and set off. some time in December, on the coast ef Rhode Island. I remember this fact in relation to time from this circumstance, that it was Thanksgiving time. . .”35
Clerk Drowne was also confined to the prison ship. “On account of Drowne being a Naval prisoner with an Army rank it was impossible to effect his exchange, and in consequence, he was compelled to remain a prisoner, and was not released until 1783, when he returned home broken in health by the great hardships he had endured, and it was only owing to the skillful medical attention of his brother Dr. Solomon Drowne, who had served as a surgeon in the Revolution . . . that the life of William Drowne was prolonged for a couple of years.”36
1 Winfield, Rif, British Warships of the Age of Sail, 1714-1792: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates, Chatham: 2007
2 Winfield
3 Colledge, J. J., Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of All Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy from the 15th Century to the Present, Naval Institute Press, 2006, 36
4 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 79
5 Drowne, Henry Russell, “Articles of Agreement Between the Owners and the Ship’s Company of the Privateer Ships General Washington and Belisarius,” in The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, vol 53, New York: 1922, 350-351
6 Davis, Gilbert Asa, Centennial Celebration Together With An Historical Sketch of Reading, Windsor County, Vermont, From the First Settlement of the Town to 1874. A.N. Swain: Bellows Falls, 1874, 103-105
7 Winsor, Justin, ed., The Memorial History of Boston Including Suffolk County, Massachusetts: 1630-1880. Vol. III. Boston: James R. Osgood & Co., 1882, 186
8 Chapelle, Howard I., The History of American Sailing Ships, Bonanza Books: New York, 1935, 139-140
9 NRAR, 234
10 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 79
11 The Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser [Boston], Thursday, April 5, 1781
12 Drowne, 350-351
13 Drowne, 350-351
14 Davis, Gilbert Asa, Centennial Celebration Together With An Historical Sketch of Reading, Windsor County, Vermont, From the First Settlement of the Town to 1874. A.N. Swain: Bellows Falls, 1874, 103-105
15 Drowne, 350-351
16 Davis, Gilbert Asa, Centennial Celebration Together With An Historical Sketch of Reading, Windsor County, Vermont, From the First Settlement of the Town to 1874. A.N. Swain: Bellows Falls, 1874, 103-105
17 The American Journal And General Advertiser [Providence], Saturday, July 7, 1781, (Extract of a Letter from New London, July 2, 1781)
18 Davis, 103-105
19 Drowne, 350-351
20 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 77
21 “The following is a List of Prizes taken by the Squadron of His Majesty’s Ships in North America, between the 1st of June and the 20th of August, 1781,” in The London Gazette, Saturday, September 22, to Tuesday, September 25, 1781. Drowne’s Journal ends on 26 July 1781, which is assumed to be the date of capture in Drowne, 350-351
22 “Extract of a Letter from Commodore Affleck to Mr. Stephens, dated at New York, August 13, 1781,” in The London Gazette, Saturday, September 22, to Tuesday, September 25, 1781 (or 7 August, according to the same source).
23 Drowne, 350-351, where the location is given as off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
24 Davis, 103-105
25 Chapelle, 139
26 The New-York Gazette, and the Weekly Mercury, Monday, August 20, 1781. The vessels making the capture are variously reported as Medea and Amphitrite (The New-York Gazette, and the Weekly Mercury, Monday, August 13, 1781); and Medea, Amphitrite, and HM Sloop Savage (“The following is a List of Prizes taken by the Squadron of His Majesty’s Ships in North America, between the 1st of June and the 20th of August, 1781,” in The London Gazette, Saturday, September 22, to Tuesday, September 25, 1781)
27 “Extract of a Letter from Commodore Affleck to Mr. Stephens, dated at New York, August 13, 1781,” in The London Gazette, Saturday, September 22, to Tuesday, September 25, 1781
28 Davis, 103-105
29 The New-York Gazette, and the Weekly Mercury, Monday, August 13, 1781
30 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 77
31 HCA 32/278/13/1-6
32 “A List of Ships Purchased into His Majesty’s Service, Pr order of Thomas Graves Esqr Rear Admiral of the Red &ca &ca &ca North America between the 27th of July 1781, and the 26th of September 1781,” from UK/PRO, ADM 1/489, f. 480. Transcribed and annotated by Brooks. Kindly furnished by Mr. Brooks in e-mail 12/16/2006.
33 The Royal Gazette [New York], Wednesday, September 12 1781
34 Davis, 103-105
35 Davis, 103-105
36 Drowne, 350-351
| Posted 15 January 2009 |
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