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Pennsylvania Privateer Brigantine Jolly Tar |
| Jolly Tar | Commander David Thomson |
| Armed Brig | 3 August 1781-[25] August 1781 |
| Pennsylvania Privateer Brigantine |
| Commissioned/First Date: | 3 August 1781 |
| Out of Service/Cause: | [25] August 1781/captured by HM Frigate Iris |
| Owners: | George Nixon and Robert Shewell & Co., both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Tonnage: | 125 |
| Battery: | Date Reported: 3 August 1781 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 8/ Total: 8 cannon/ Broadside: 4 cannon/ Swivels: Date Reported: [25] August 1781 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 10/ Total: 10 cannon/ Broadside: 5 cannon/ Swivels: |
| Crew: | (1) 3 August 1781: 29 [total
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| Description: |
| Officers: | (1) First Mate John Cochran, 3 August 1781-[25] August 1781 |
| Cruises: | (1) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to sea, [15] August 1781-[25] August 1781 |
| Prizes: |
| Actions: |
Comments:
Pennsylvania Privateer Brigantine Jolly Tar was commissioned on 3 August 1781 under Commander David Thomson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. John Cochran of Philadelphia served aboard as First Mate. Jolly Tar was listed as being armed with eight guns and as having a crew of twenty-seven men. Her $20000 bond was signed by Thomson and by George Nixon of Philadelphia.1
Jolly Tar sailed from Philadelphia on her first voyage with a cargo of flour, beef, bread and pork.2 Between 20 August 17813 and 3 September 1781,4 she was captured by HM Frigate Iris (Captain George Dawson). Her British captors described her as measuring 125 tons, with ten guns and a crew of thirty men.5
Jolly Tar was sent into New York, New York, where she was condemned in the Vice Admiralty court. She is described there as an American merchant vessel with a letter-of-marque.6
1 NRAR, 361
2 The New-York Gazette; and The Weekly Mercury, Monday, September 3, 1781
3 “List of Prizes received with the aforementioned Letter,” in The London Gazette, Saturday, March 16, to Tuesday, March 19, 1782
4 The New-York Gazette; and The Weekly Mercury, Monday, September 3, 1781
5 “List of Prizes received with the aforementioned Letter,” in The London Gazette, Saturday, March 16, to Tuesday, March 19, 1782
6 HCA 32/370/25/1-35
| Posted 15 July 2008 |
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