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Massachusetts Privateer Sloop Betsey




Betsey

(1) Commander John Palmer

Armed Sloop

21 June 1777-

Massachusetts Privateer Sloop

(2) Commander Elisha Smith
12 January 1779-


Commissioned/First Date:

21 June 1777

Out of Service/Cause:


Owners:

Isaac Sears et al of Boston, Massachusetts


Tonnage:


Battery:

Date Reported: 21 June 1777

Number/Caliber  Weight        Broadside


Total:

Broadside:

Swivels: four


Date Reported: 12 January 1779

Number/Caliber  Weight        Broadside

4/

Total: 4 cannon/

Broadside: 2 cannon/

Swivels:


Crew:

(1) 21 June 1777: 6 [total]
(2) 12 January 1779: 11 [total]


Description:


Officers:


Cruises:


Prizes:


Actions:


Comments:

Massachusetts Privateer Sloop Betsey was commissioned on 21 June 1777 under Commander John Palmer of New York, New York. She was listed as having a battery of four swivel guns and a crew of five men. Her $5000 Continental bond was signed by Palmer and by Isaac Sears and Paschal Nelson Smith of Boston, Massachusetts. Her owner is listed as Sears. Betsay was re-commissioned on 12 January 1779 under Commander Elisha Smith of Boston. She was now listed as being armed with four guns (no mention being made of swivel guns) and as having a crew of ten men. Her $5000 Continental bond and £4000 Massachusetts bond were signed by Smith and by Philip Moore of Boston and Paschal N. Smith. Her owners were listed as Isaac Sears and others of Boston.1  

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1 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 80