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Connecticut Privateer Brigantine Hancock |
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| Hancock | (1) Commander Peter Richards |
| Sloop-of-War [Brig/Sloop] | 18 July 1781-6 September 1781 |
| Connecticut Privateer Brigantine | (2) Commander Lodowick Champlin
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| Commissioned/First Date: | 18 July 1781 |
| Out of Service/Cause: |
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| Owners: | (1) Thomas Mumford, Joseph Packwood, and Howland & Coit, all of Norwich, Connecticut; (2) Thomas Mumford & Co. of New London, Connecticut; (3) Howland, Coit & Co. of Norwich, Connecticut |
| Tonnage: |
| Battery: | Date Reported: 17 July 1781 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 16/6pounder 96 pounds 48 pounds Total: 16 cannon/96 pounds Broadside: 8 cannon/48 pounds Swivels: Date Reported: 18 July 1781 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 18/ Total: 18 cannon/ Broadside: 9 cannon/ Swivels: Date Reported: 30 October 1781 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 16/ Total: 16 cannon/ Broadside: 8 cannon/ Swivels: Date Reported: 7 May 1782 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 14/6-pounder 84 pounds 42 pounds Total: 14 cannon/84 pounds Broadside: 7 cannon/42 pounds Swivels: Date Reported: 16 September 1782 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 8/ Total: 8 cannon/ Broadside: 4 cannon/ Swivels: |
| Crew: | (1) 18 July 1781: 111 [total]
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| Description: |
| Officers: |
| Cruises: | (1) New London, Connecticut to New London, Connecticut, 29 July 1781-2 September 1781
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| Prizes: | (1) HM Sloop Swallow (Commander Thomas Wells), 15 August 1781, at Fire Island Inlet, with Connecticut Privateer Schooner Young Cromwell, Connecticut Privateer Sloop Randolph, and Connecticut Privateer Brig Sampson
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| Actions: | (1) Action with Swallow, 15 August 1781 |
Comments:
Connecticut Privateer Brig Hancock was commissioned on 18 July 17811 under Commander Peter Richards, listing his address as Norwich, Connecticut. Hancock's battery was listed as eighteen guns and her crew as 110 men. Her new $20000 bond was signed by Richards, and by Jabez Perkins and Joseph Howland, both of Norwich.2 Her owners are given as Thomas Mumford, Joseph Packwood, and Howland & Coit, of Norwich.3 Hancock was the former Connecticut Privateer Brigantine Whim.4
The day before receiving his commission, Richards placed a recruiting advertisement for the Hancock. Sailors were appealed to under the headline “One More Time!” According the advertisement Hancock mounted sixteen 6-pounders and would sail from New London on 26 July, which was changed to 29 July in a later advertisement, for a two month cruise.5 Hancock seems to have sailed about the first of August 1781.
HM Sloop Swallow was a brig rigged sloop-of-war, purchased in Dover in 1779. She measured 79'5" length on the deck, 60'2" length on the keel, 26'7" beam, 10'2" depth in the hold, and measured 226 54/94 tons. Swallow was armed with fourteen 4-pounders to which four 18-pounder carronades were later added. In August of 1781 her crew of eighty men was commanded by Commander Thomas Wells.6 About mid-July 1781 Swallow was sent from Antigua to New York, New York with dispatches.
On 15 August 17817 Swallow was nearing the entrance to New York Harbor, being about thirty-six miles from Sandy Hook, New Jersey. She had with her the brig Venus, a prize recaptured during her voyage. Some of Wells’s crew would have been aboard the Venus, perhaps ten or so, as her prize crew. Four American privateers appeared from the haze and began chasing Swallow. These got between Swallow and the land, cutting her off from the shore.8 Wells ran north, not liking the odds of four to one too much.
The American privateers were the Connecticut Privateer Schooner Young Cromwell (Commander William Reed), armed with ten 4-pounders and with a crew of forty-five men, Connecticut Privateer Sloop Randolph (Commander Augustus Peck), armed with sixteen 4-pounders and a crew of ninety men, Hancock (Commander Peter Richards), and Connecticut Privateer Brig Sampson (Commander David Brooks), eighteen 6-pounders and 100 men.9 The Americans had been cruising about the waters off the entrance to New York for some time, interrupting British trade and taking prizes. Sampson had had a previous fight with Swallow. The action that resulted was more of a long range chase.
As Wells ran north he passed by New York. The shore of Long Island lay ahead, which was “friendly” territory for the British. At the entrance to the Great South Bay, at the end of Fire Island, Wells ran the Swallow ashore. Venus also went ashore. Both were under continual fire from the four privateers. The vessels were evacuated and the British escaped ashore. Although the Americans tried to get the two brigs afloat they could not. Both were burned by the Americans10 on 16 August.11
Hancock continued her cruise. While in the area of Fire Island Inlet she captured a sloop, in conjunction with the Connecticut Privateer Brigantine Deane (Commander Dan Scovell) and the Connecticut Privateer Sloop Active (Commander Charles Bulkley. The sloop was sent into New London and arrived there on 29 August.12 Hancock returned to New London from her cruise on 2 September 1781.13
On 6 September 1781 the British launched a large raid on New London, under the command of the new British general, Benedict Arnold. Captain Peter Richards was among those who rallied to the militia and fought in the Battle of Fort Griswold. Following the surrender of the fort, Richards was killed by the British. At least one other member of Hancock’s crew was wounded in the battle.14 Hancock seems to have escaped, either upriver, along with fourteen other vessels, or one of four which remained in the harbor undamaged.15
With the unfortunate Richards dead it was necessary to obtain a new skipper for the Hancock. One had been selected by 11 October 1781. On that date was placed a recruiting advertisement for the Hancock. Her new commander was Lodowick Champlin of New London. Hancock was said to be armed with fourteen 6-pounders and expected to sail about 18 October.16
Hancock was formally commissioned on 30 October 1781, under Commander Lodowick Champlin of New London, Connecticut. She was listed as a brigantine, and as being armed with sixteen guns and as having a crew of ninety men. Hancock's $20000 bond was signed by Champlin, and by Thomas Coit and Patrick Robertson of Norwich, Connecticut.17 Her owners were listed as Thomas Mumford & Co.18
Hancock sailed for the West Indies on 2 December 1781, in company with Connecticut Privateer Brigantine Marquis de La Fayette (Commander Elisha Hinman).19 The two brigantines arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, according to a report in the New London paper, dated 11 January 1782.20 A report in the Boston papers, dated January 28, noted that Hancock was in the York River, Virginia. From there it would seem that Hancock proceeded to the West Indies. A report in the New London newspapers, published on 5 April 1782, indicated that she had arrived there safely, along with the Marquis de La Fayette.21 Hancock sailed for home, from St. Croix in the Danish West Indies, about 27 March 1782, and arrived at New London on 17 April 1782, in a twenty day voyage.22
Champlin began preparing for sea immediately. A recruiting advertisement for sailors appeared on 3 May 1782 (dated 1 May), which noted that men were needed for the “fast-sailing” Hancock. She was said to be armed with fourteen 6-pounders, and was to sail about 5 May.23
Hancock did sail not too long after, for she was at sea in late May 1782. On 20 May she spoke a schooner (Gill), inbound to New London from Grenada in the West Indies.24
About 26 May 1782 Hancock met the Connecticut Privateer Sloop Randolph (Commander Nicholl Fosdick). After exchanging information the two accompanied one another.25 The next day the Connecticut Privateer Schooner Eliza (Commander William Leeds) was at 39°10'N, 72°12'W. In the morning she fell in with a brig and chased her. She ran off to leeward. Eliza chased and met the Hancock and the Randolph. All three were in gunshot when the brig surrendered.26 Leeds gleefully reported that his schooner sailed very fast, easily beating the Hancock.27 The capture was made about 120 miles to the southeast of Sandy Hook.28
The 6029 or 100-ton30 prize brig William (William Corson)31 had a cargo of tobacco aboard and was bound from New York to Europe. She had sailed on 27 May,32 and was captured on 29 May.33 William had a checkered history in this war. She started out British, being owned by William Davenport of Liverpool, England, was captured by the Americans and used with the same name. She was captured by HM Frigate Assurance (Captain William Swiney) and condemned at New York as a re-capture. Alexander Wallace purchased her there on 21 May 1782. Christopher Vail, quartermaster of the Randolph, was assigned as prize master of the William. William arrived at New London on 30 May.34 All three privateers libeled the 100-ton brigantine William on 7 June 1782, with trial set for 12 June.35 William was advertised for sale on 14 June, at Norwich Landing. The sale was to take place on 25 June. She was said to be copper-bottomed.36
Hancock and Randolph parted company on 4 June.37 On 10 June 1782,38 at 39°N, 74°W,39 off Sandy Hook,40 Hancock fell in with and captured the 80-ton British Transport Brigantine Thetis (Peter Robinson), bound to Charleston, South Carolina from New York, New York, with a cargo wine, brandy, flour, tea, soap, candles and other items.41 Hancock escorted Thetis into New London on 12 June.42 Thetis was a re-capture, having been captured by the British previously.43 She had sailed from New York the same day she was captured. Thetis was advertised for sale on 14 June, with the auction to be held on 25 June. She was noted as 100 tons and Virginia built in the advertisement. Thetis was libeled on 14 June with her trial set for 19 June. Robinson is listed as Robertson in the libel.44
A few days after capturing the Thetis, Hancock was back at sea. On 23 June 1782, also at 39°N, 74°W, the schooner Mercury was captured, with a cargo of provisions for New Providence.45 On 28 June the Mercury was libeled by Champlin, with her trial set for the same day.46 An advertisement for her sale states that she was 25 tons and Virginia built. The advertisement appeared on 12 July with the sale to be held on 18 July.47 This was probably the schooner which arrived at New London on 25 June. It was reported that she was a re-captured vessel and had been en route to Havana from Virginia with grain and flour.48
Hancock was still at sea around the beginning of July 1782. She was chased by two large ships, clearly enemy vessels. During the chase Champlin threw overboard three of his guns and started pumping out the brig’s water. The lightening of the brig had the desired effect and Hancock got clear of the British. She returned to New London on 8 July 1782.49
Hancock was again commissioned on 16 September 1782, under Commander Hezekiah Perkins of Norwich. She was now listed as having eight guns and a crew of sixteen men. Her $20000 bond was signed by Perkins and by Elisha Lathrop, Jr. of Norwich, and by John Alden of Lebanon, Connecticut.50 Her owners are now given as Howland, Coit & Co. of Norwich. She was intended for the merchant service to the West Indies.51
Perkins made at least one voyage to the West Indies in Hancock. She was at St. Croix, Danish West Indies in November 1782 and sailed for home about 5 December 1782. Hancock arrived in New London on Christmas Day.52
1 NRAR, 323, gives the date as 1782, which is incorrect.
2 NRAR, 323; Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 107-108. The year is obviously incorrect as Richards was dead in 1782.
3 Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 108
4 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, July 20, 1781
5 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, July 20, 1781, and July 27, 1781
6 Mr. Brooks’s e-mail 6/2/2009
7 The Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser [Philadelphia], Tuesday, September 4, 1781, datelined New London, August 24, 1781
8 The Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser [Philadelphia], Tuesday, August 28, 1781, datelined New York, August 22
9 The Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser [Philadelphia], Tuesday, September 4, 1781, datelined New London, August 24, 1781
10 The Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser [Philadelphia], Tuesday, September 4, 1781, datelined New London, August 24, 1781
11 The Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser [Philadelphia], Tuesday, August 28, 1781, datelined New York, August 22
12 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, August 31, 1781
13 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, September 7, 1781
14 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, September 21, 1781; Harris, William W., The Battle of Groton Heights, Charles Allyn: New London, 1882, p. 22, 232. Online at http://books.google.com/books?id=OroYPSCHe5UC&dq=Peter+Richards+1781&source=gbs_navlinks_s
15 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, September 7, 1781
16 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, October 12, 1781
17 NRAR, 324; Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 108
18 Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 108
19 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, December 7, 1781
20 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, January 11, 1782
21 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, April 5, 1782
22 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, April 19, 1782
23 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, May 3, 1782
24 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, May 24, 1782
25 The New Jersey Gazette [Burlington], June 26, 1782, datelined New London, June 7
26 Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 80. Reprints letter from Leeds to Elijah Healmes.
27 Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 80. Reprints letter from Leeds to Elijah Healmes.
28 McManemin, Privateers, 43; Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut, II, 184
29 McManemin, Privateers, 43; Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut, II, 184
30 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, June 7, 1782
31 McManemin, Privateers, 43; Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut, II, 184
32 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, May 31, 1782
33 Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 80. Reprints letter from Leeds to Elijah Healmes.
34 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, May 31, 1782
35 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, June 7, 1782
36 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, June 14, 1782
37 The New Jersey Gazette [Burlington], June 26, 1782, datelined New London, June 7; The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, June 14, 1782
38 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, June 14, 1782. Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 108, says 1 June was the date of capture.
39 Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 108
40 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, June 14, 1782.
41 Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 108
42 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, June 14, 1782.
43 Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 108
44 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, June 14, 1782
45 Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 109
46 The Connecticut Journal [New Haven], July 4, 1782, datelined New London, June 28, 1782
47 The Connecticut Gazette and the Universal Intelligencer [New London], Friday, July 12, 1782
48 The Connecticut Journal [New Haven], July 4, 1782, datelined New London, June 28, 1782
49 The Connecticut Journal [New Haven], Thursday, July 18, 1782, New London, July 12
50 NRAR, 324; Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 109
51 Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 109
52 The Connecticut Journal [New Haven], Thursday, January 2, 1783, datelined New London, December 27, 1782
| Posted 21 July 2009 |
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