| Back to F |
 |
Connecticut Privateer Galley Fair American |
|
| Fair American | Commander Henry Murfits [Moffat] |
| Patrol Craft | 1 April 1782-[May] 1782 |
| Connecticut Privateer Galley |
| Commissioned/First Date: | 1 April 1782 |
| Out of Service/Cause: | [May] 1782/captured by British armed boats |
| Owners: | John Deshon & Co. of New London, Connecticut |
| Tonnage: |
| Battery: | Date Reported: 1 April 1782 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 1/ Total: 1 cannon/ Broadside: 1 cannon/ Swivels: |
| Crew: | 1 April 1782: 36 [total] |
| Description: |
| Officers: |
| Cruises: |
| Prizes: | (1) Brig Mary and Catherine, 15 April 1782, near Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts |
| Actions: |
Comments:
Connecticut Privateer Galley Fair American was commissioned on 1 April 1782 under Commander Henry Murfits of New London, Connecticut. She was listed as having a battery of one gun and a crew of thirty-five men. Fair American’s $20000 bond was signed by Murfits and by John Deshon and John Herttell, both of New London.1
On 15 April Fair American was cruising near Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. She fell in with and captured the 180-ton brig Mary and Catherine, bound to New York, New York with a cargo of provisions. Christopher Thornington took charge of the prize, which was brought into New London on 17 April. She was condemned at New London.2
It seems that the Fair American was captured by the British not long after. On 10 June 1782, an advertisement appeared in the New York newspaper for an auction sale of the “galley Fair American, Captured by his Majesty’s armed boats commanded by Capt. Blanchard.” The sale was to be held the same day.3
1 NRAR, 287. In Middlebrook, History of Maritime Connecticut, II, 85, he is named Moffat.
2 Middlebrook, History of Maritime Connecticut, II, 85
3 The New-York Gazette; and The Weekly Mercury, June 10, 1782
| Posted 22 May 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|