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Massachusetts Privateer Sloop Rover |
| Rover | (1) Commander Simon Forrester |
| Armed Sloop | 12 July 1776-[October] 1776 |
| Massachusetts Privateer Sloop | (2) Commander Abijah Boden
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| Commissioned/First Date: | 12 July 1776/2 July 1776 |
| Out of Service/Cause: | 1 December 1777/captured by HM Sloop Sphynx |
| Owners: | (1) Jacob Ashton, Joseph Sprague and Bartholomew Putnam, all of Salem, Massachusetts; (2) Joseph Sprague & Co. of Salem, Massachusetts; (3) John Derby, Andrew Cabot et al of Salem, Massachusetts |
| Tonnage: | 70 |
| Battery: | Date Reported: 2 July 1776 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 6/ Total: 6 cannon/ Broadside: 3 cannon/ Swivels: eight (two cohorns) Date Reported: 12 July 1776 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 8/ Total: 8 cannon/ Broadside: 4 cannon/ Swivels: ten (two cohorns) Date Reported: 1 September 1776 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 8/ Total: 8 cannon/ Broadside: 4 cannon/ Swivels: several Date Reported: 1 September 1776 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 8/ Total: 8 cannon/ Broadside: 4 cannon/ Swivels: fourteen Date Reported: 23 September 1776 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 10/ Total: 10 cannon/ Broadside: 5 cannon/ Swivels: Date Reported: 13 November 1776 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 8/ Total: 8 cannon/ Broadside: 4 cannon/ Swivels: Date Reported: 8 October 1777 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 8/ Total: 8 cannon/ Broadside: 4 cannon/ Swivels: Date Reported: 1 December 1777 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 10/ Total: 10 cannon/ Broadside: 5 cannon/ Swivels: |
| Crew: | (1) 2 July 1776: 61 [total]
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| Description: |
| Officers: |
| Cruises: | (1) Salem, Massachusetts to sea and return, [July] 1776-7 October 1776
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| Prizes: | (1) Sloop James (Gillis), [July] 1776
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| Actions: | (1) Action with African, 22 August 1776 |
Comments:
Massachusetts Privateer Sloop Rover was being fitted out at Salem in June 1776. She was a 70 ton vessel, armed with six guns, eight swivels and two cohorns. Her owners intended her to be manned with sixty men. The owners, one of whom was Bartholomew Putnam, found difficulty in purchasing that essential ingredient of successful privateering, gunpowder. On 2 July 1776 Putnam petitioned the Massachusetts General Court to be allowed to purchase three hundred pounds from the colony, which was readily agreed to on 4 July.1 On 12 July owners Jacob Ashton and Joseph Sprague petitioned for a commission for Commander Simon Forrester of Salem, Massachusetts, which was granted, and a $5,000 Continental bond was executed.2 Her crew was listed in her petition as fifty men and her battery as eight guns, ten swivel guns and the two cohorns. The bond was signed by Jacob Ashton and Joseph Sprague of Salem, and by Forrester.3
Simon Forrester was reputed to be an Irishman4 who had lost his vessel and property to an English warship when “trading in full security.” He went to America to take command of a privateer as retaliation.5 This may be the truth as he was well known at Falmouth, England and Lisbon, Portugal to the skippers and merchants.6 Most of his crew were supposedly Irish.7 Forrester took Rover to sea in late July 1776, steering for European waters that he apparently knew well.
On 7 August 17768 Rover was at 38°42'N, 46°30"W when she sighted a sail at 0400 and began chasing. At 12009 Rover captured the brig Diana10 (Heylin Maybury11 [Haylen Mayberry]).12 She had sailed from St. Vincent’s13 in May 177614 bound to Cork,15 with a cargo of rum.16 Diana was owned in Cork by Charles Morris and John Church.17 A prize crew was put aboard and the crew removed. Maybury was left aboard and the brig ordered to Salem. Maybury reported Rover to be armed with ten guns,18 and later, that she had fourteen guns and ninety-five men aboard.19 Diana was reportedly Rover’s third prize. A few days later thirteen20 to fifteen21 of the prisoners were put aboard a French vessel22 the Robust (Benoist),23 en route to Le Havre from Martinique.24 When the French vessel arrived in France her owner applied to the British ambassador for payment of these men’s expenses.25
On 25 August the Diana was inbound to Salem with a prize crew aboard. At 0030 she was sighted, close by the land, by patrolling HM Frigate Milford, which chased her into Brace’s Cove, near Cape Ann, Massachusetts. The prize crew abandoned ship as the Milford manned her cutter and pinnance and sent them to secure the brig. As the British boarded the Diana the prize crew and the local militia collected on the beach and opened fire with small arms. Milford moved in closer and covered her cutting out party by firing at the militia. The British cut Diana’s anchor cables and towed her out to the Milford, while the Americans sniped at the brig and the boats.26 The Milford escorted Diana to Halifax.27 After her trial there Diana sailed from Halifax on 29 October 1776 and arrived at Cork on 20 November 1776.28
Rover’s next prize was probably the 6029 or 8030 ton sloop James (Gillis)31 with tobacco and turpentine. She had been sent out by the Continental Congress from Edenton, North Carolina,32 and had been captured by HM Sloop Ranger (Captain Roger Wills). Wills put Thomas Barker in as prize master. James was then recaptured by Rover. She was libeled on 26 September 1776, and tried on 15 October 1776.33 She was sold on 26 November 1776 at Salem.34 She sold for £200.35
By late August Rover was off the Portuguese coast, where she began a short reign of terror by fighting a deadly battle. On 22 August36 ninety miles of the Rock of Lisbon,37 she encountered the 220 ton ship38 or snow39 African40 (John Baker)41 a “Guineaman” out of Bristol, England.42 Such a vessel was engaged in the slave trade or in trading to the area of slave-taking on the Guinea coast. Such vessels were usually armed. Baker decided to fight. The action was fought at ranges close enough to allow conversation during pauses. Baker declared he would never be taken as long as he had a man left.43 In the course of the five44 or six hour45 action, African blew up. Of twenty-six46 or twenty-eight men in her crew only three were saved by the Rover.47 Two of these were later landed on the Portuguese coast with other prisoners,48 Rover suffered no casualties.49
Brigantine Sarah Ann (Gregory Potbury), from Exeter to Gibralter and Malaga50 with provisions and dry goods, was taken on 24 August, thirty-six miles off the Rock of Lisbon. She had the Gibralter garrison’s provisions aboard.51 The brigantine evidently arrived safely in Massachusetts, for two members of her crew were listed as prisoners at Salem in November 1776.52 After her capture Rover was in Lagos Bay (near Cape St. Vincent) watering on 28 August, when she saw two vessels passing. Leaving her casks ashore she went out and captured the snow Lively (William Carter), Chester to Genoa53 with lead and coal, taken twenty-four miles off Lagos.54 Soon after the 110 ton brig55 or brigantine Good Intent (William Davis), New Castle to Gibralter56 with the garrison’s coal supply57 and sixteen hundred pieces of woolen cloth58 was captured. On 29 August Rover returned to Lagos Bay to resume watering.59 Soon after Rover released the masters and some of the crew members ashore at Faro60 or Cape Finisterre.61
Both prizes were sent off to America. Lively was recaptured on 9 October 1776, seventy-eight miles southeast of Seal Island, by HM Frigate Milford.62 Good Intent arrived at Salem on 14 October.63 She was sold at Salem on 26 November 1776.64 Two crew members were listed as prisoners at Salem in December 1776.65
The most valuable prize was yet to be captured. The 120 ton66 brig Mary and James (Thomas Moore) sailed from Falmouth on 20 August 1776 bound to Messina, Salerno and Naples, with a cargo valued at £20,000-30,000. On 1 September 1776 the Mary and James was forty-two miles northwest of Cape St. Vincent, with Mount Chigo in sight), becalmed. Rover came rowing out with twelve oars and overtook the Mary and James. Moore and his people were “stripped...of every thing” and their lives threatened.67 Forrester and his men “Appeared more like pirates than anything else.” to them.68 Moore reported Rover as having eight guns and a number of swivels.69 Other reports indicate she had eight guns and fourteen swivels.70 Although Rover had sailed with eighty men aboard, she had only thirty-eight in her crew when the Mary and James was captured.71 Moore reported that six other prizes were taken before the Mary and James, and the crews landed at Faro. On the 2nd, twenty-four miles off Cape Spichell, Moor, his mate, and five sailors were placed in Mary and James’s boat, and cast off. They reached Setuval that night. Although Forrester was close-mouthed about his origin, the crew gave out they were from Salem and that several more privateers had sailed for the Portuguese coast. The prize was sent to America.72 Moore reported that several members of the captured crews had enlisted with the privateersmen.73
The news of this privateer prompted the merchants and insurance people to petition the Admiralty for institution of convoy.74 So many captures of vessels off the Portuguese coast drove insurance premiums up and caused “Consternation” among the merchants, reported a London paper on 25 September.75
On one occasion Forrester stopped a Portuguese vessel. As there was then tension between the United States and Portugal, Forrester told the Portuguese master that he soon hoped to have the “Honour” of being permitted to seize Portuguese vessels, as war would be soon declared by the Congress. The unnamed Portuguese did not understand, so one of the crew interpreted. The Portuguese skipper, with more courage than sense, told Forrester “Your Congress be d----d; come hither, and I’ll declare War across thy Shoulders.” Forrester lamely replied “I fight only with Gentlemen.”76
Rover returned from her successful cruise on 7 October 1776, arriving in Salem. She reported five prizes, one valued at £36,000 according to bills of lading (the Mary and James).77 The Mary and James arrived at Falmouth in Casco Bay78 on 15 October 1776.79 She was in Salem the next day.80 She was libeled on 31 October 1776 and tried on 19 November 1776.81 The cargo was sold on 3 December 177682 and the vessel, now said to be 150 tons, at Salem on 26 November.83
By 2 November 1776, Rover lay at Marblehead, manning for a new cruise, and with a new commander, Abijah Boden. Boden advertised for a surgeon and sailors on that date.84 Thirty-four men had been signed by 13 November, according to the shipping articles.85 Rover’s new commission was granted on 13 November. She was listed as being armed with eight guns and as having a crew of forty-five men. Her $5000 Continental bond was signed by Boden and by Sprague.86
When Boden sailed, perhaps in mid-December 1776, he steered for the West Indies, for Martinique. En route, ship Mercury (William Seaton), owned in Bristol and from there to Antigua,87 was captured on 27 December 1776. She was apparently taken in to Martinique, and sailed for Salem when the Rover did. She was recaptured by HM Frigate Richmond and brought in to Antigua on 22 March 1777.88
Rover sailed for home on 5 March 1777, arriving at Salem on 5 April 1777.89 One prize was captured on this cruise. Ship Duke of Leinster (Patrick North),90 200 tons,91 was bound to New York with a cargo of provisions92 (or, from Dublin to Jamaica).93 She arrived at a “safe port” before 20 March 1777.94 Duke of Leinster was libeled on 10 April.95 Skipper North was ordered exchanged by the Massachusetts Council on 3 June 1777.96
Rover was re-commissioned on 8 October 1777, under Commander John Mitchell of Salem. She was listed as being armed with eight guns and as having a crew of fifty men. Her $5000 Continental and £500 Massachusetts bonds were signed by Mitchell and by John Derby and Andrew Cabot, both of Salem.97 On 1 December 1777 Rover was 360 miles southeast of Cape Henlopen.98 Although long at sea, Rover had captured no prizes.99 At 0700 she was sighted and chased by HM Sloop Sphynx (Commander Anthony Hunt). At 1300 Sphynx ran her down. Hunt noted the Rover as being armed with ten guns and as having thirty-five men aboard. Sphynx kept the Rover in company with her until 3 December, when Hunt ordered her scuttled.100 The prisoners were brought into New York, arriving before 22 December.101
1 NDAR, “Petition of Bartholomew Putnam to the Massachusetts General Court,” V, 870-871
2 NDAR, “Petition for Commission for Simon Forrester to Command the Massachusetts Privateer Sloop Rover,” V, 1034-1035 and 1035 note
3 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 267
4 NDAR, “Copy of a Letter from Capt. Braithwaite, of the Hampden Packet Boat, dated Falmouth, Sept. 20.,” VI, 607 and note; “Letter from Cork,” VI, 610
5 NDAR, “Letter from Cork,” VI, 610
6 NDAR, “Copy of a Letter from Capt. Braithwaite, of the Hampden Packet Boat, dated Falmouth, Sept. 20.,” VI, 607 and note
7 NDAR, “London Chronicle, Tuesday, September 24 to Thursday, September 26, 1776,” VI, 613 and note
8NDAR, “Master’s Log of H.M.S. Milford,” VI, 298 and note. Strangely, Diana’s master reported the capture as taking place on 7 June 1776, obviously incorrect. He seems to have meant 7 August. Maybury later deposed that he was captured at the “beginning of August.” AVCR, 21.
9 AVCR, 21
10 NDAR, “Master’s Log of H.M.S. Milford,” VI, 298 and note
11 NDAR, “Letter from Cork,” VI, 610; “Extract of a Letter from Corke, Nov. 20,” VII, 747. The dates are mostly incorrect in this extract.
12 AVCR, 21
13 NDAR, “Letter from Cork,” VI, 610; “Extract of a Letter from Corke, Nov. 20,” VII, 747
14 NDAR, “Extract of a Letter from Corke, Nov. 20,” VII, 747
15 NDAR, “Master’s Log of H.M.S. Milford,” VI, 298 and note; “Letter from Cork,” VI, 610; “Extract of a Letter from Corke, Nov. 20,” VII, 747
16 NDAR, “Extract of a Letter from Corke, Nov. 20,” VII, 747
17 AVCR, 22
18 NDAR, “Extract of a Letter from Corke, Nov. 20,” VII, 747
19 AVCR, 21
20 NDAR, “Philip Stephens to the British Navy Board,” VI, 593 and note; “Philip Stephens to Sir Stanier Porten,” VI, 629-630
21 NDAR, “Letter from Cork,” VI, 610
22 NDAR, “Letter from Cork,” VI, 610; “Philip Stephens to the British Navy Board,” VI, 593 and note; “Philip Stephens to Sir Stanier Porten,” VI, 629-630
23 NDAR, “Philip Stephens to the British Navy Board,” VI, 593 and note
24 NDAR, “Letter from Cork,” VI, 610
25 NDAR, “Philip Stephens to the British Navy Board,” VI, 593 and note; “Philip Stephens to Sir Stanier Porten,” VI, 629-630
26 NDAR, “Master’s Log of H.M.S. Milford,” VI, 298 and note. Maybury reports the recapture as occurring on 3 July 1776, which is incorrect. NDAR, “Extract of a Letter from Corke, Nov. 20,” VII, 747. See also NDAR, “New-England Chronicle, Thursday, August 29, 1776,” VI, 346-347 and 347 note
27 NDAR, “Master’s Log of H.M.S. Milford,” VI, 358-359 and 359 note; “A Transcript of the Entries of letters of Agency in His Majestys Court of Vice Admiralty for the Province of Nova: Scotia. to the 4th day of October 1776,” VI, 1124-1125; “Extract of a Letter from Corke, Nov. 20,” VII, 747
28 “Extract of a Letter from Corke, Nov. 20,” VII, 747
29 NDAR, “Libels Filed Against Various Prizes in the Massachusetts Admiralty Court,” VI, 1002-1003
30 NDAR, “Independent Chronicle, Thursday, November 14, 1776,” VII, 139-141
31 NDAR, “John Bradford to the Secret Committee of the Continental Congress,” VII, 291; “John Bradford to the Secret Committee of the Continental Congress,” VIII, 303 and note
32 NDAR, “John Bradford to the Secret Committee of the Continental Congress,” VII, 291
33 NDAR, “Libels Filed Against Various Prizes in the Massachusetts Admiralty Court,” VI, 1002-1003
34 NDAR, “Independent Chronicle, Thursday, November 14, 1776,” VII, 139-141
35 NDAR, “John Bradford to the Secret Committee of the Continental Congress,” VIII, 303 and note
36 NDAR, “Copy of a Letter from Capt. Braithwaite, of the Hampden Packet Boat, dated Falmouth, Sept. 20.,” VI, 607 and note
37 NDAR, “Activities of the Massachusetts Privateer Rover,” VI, 619-620 and 620 note
38 NDAR, “Activities of the Massachusetts Privateer Rover,” VI, 619-620 and 620 note
39 NDAR, “London Chronicle, Tuesday, September 24 to Thursday, September 26, 1776,” VI, 613 and note
40 NDAR, “Sir John Hart to Thomas Farr,” VI, 588-589
41 NDAR, “Sir John Hart to Thomas Farr,” VI, 588-589; “Copy of a Letter from Capt. Braithwaite, of the Hampden Packet Boat, dated Falmouth, Sept. 20.,” VI, 607 and note
42 NDAR, “Sir John Hart to Thomas Farr,” VI, 588-589; “London Chronicle, Tuesday, September 24 to Thursday, September 26, 1776,” VI, 613 and note
43 NDAR, “Extract of a Letter from Bristol, Oct. 23.,” VII, 710
44 NDAR, “Activities of the Massachusetts Privateer Rover,” VI, 619-620 and 620 note
45 NDAR, “London Chronicle, Tuesday, September 24 to Thursday, September 26, 1776,” VI, 613 and note; “Extract of a Letter from Bristol, Oct. 23.,” VII, 710
46 NDAR, “London Chronicle, Tuesday, September 24 to Thursday, September 26, 1776,” VI, 613 and note
47 NDAR, “Copy of a Letter from Capt. Braithwaite, of the Hampden Packet Boat, dated Falmouth, Sept. 20.,” VI, 607 and note; “London Chronicle, Tuesday, September 24 to Thursday, September 26, 1776,” VI, 613 and note; “Activities of the Massachusetts Privateer Rover,” VI, 619-620
48 NDAR, “London Chronicle, Tuesday, September 24 to Thursday, September 26, 1776,” VI, 613 and note
49 NDAR, “Extract of a Letter from Bristol, Oct. 23.,” VII, 710
50 NDAR, “Sir John Hart to Thomas Farr,” VI, 588-589; “Activities of the Massachusetts Privateer Rover,” VI, 619-620 and 620 note
51 NDAR, “Activities of the Massachusetts Privateer Rover,” VI, 619-620 and 620 note
52 NDAR, “Return of British Naval Prisoners in Salem,” VII, 560-561
53 NDAR, “Sir John Hart to Thomas Farr,” VI, 588-589; “Activities of the Massachusetts Privateer Rover,” VI, 619-620 and 620 note
54 NDAR, “Activities of the Massachusetts Privateer Rover,” VI, 619-620 and 620 note
55 NDAR, “Independent Chronicle, Thursday, November 14, 1776,” VII, 139-141
56 NDAR, “Sir John Hart to Thomas Farr,” VI, 588-589; “Activities of the Massachusetts Privateer Rover,” VI, 619-620 and 620 note
57 NDAR, “Activities of the Massachusetts Privateer Rover,” VI, 619-620 and 620 note
58 NDAR, “Independent Chronicle, Thursday, October 17, 1776,” VI, 1299 and note
59 NDAR, “Activities of the Massachusetts Privateer Rover,” VI, 619-620 and 620 note
60 NDAR, “Sir John Hart to Thomas Farr,” VI, 588-589; “Copy of a Letter from Capt. Braithwaite, of the Hampden Packet Boat, dated Falmouth, Sept. 20.,” VI, 607 and note
61 NDAR, “Continental Journal, Thursday, October 10, 1776,” VI, 1196 and note; “Boston Gazette, Monday, October 14, 1776,” VI, 1251-1252 and 1252 note
62 NDAR, “Master’s Log of H.M.S. Milford,” VI, 1172
63 NDAR, “Independent Chronicle, Thursday, October 17, 1776,” VI, 1299 and note
64 NDAR, “Independent Chronicle, Thursday, November 14, 1776,” VII, 139-141
65 NDAR, “Return of British Naval Prisoners in Salem,” VII, 560-561
66 NDAR, “Boston Gazette, Monday, October 21, 1776,” VI, 1347 and note; “Libels Filed Against Prizes in the Massachusetts Admiralty Court for the Middle District,” VI, 1471-1472
67 NDAR, “Copy of a Letter from Capt. Braithwaite, of the Hampden Packet Boat, dated Falmouth, Sept. 20.,” VI, 607 and note
68 NDAR, “London Chronicle, Tuesday, September 24 to Thursday, September 26, 1776,” VI, 613 and note
69 NDAR, “Copy of a Letter from Capt. Braithwaite, of the Hampden Packet Boat, dated Falmouth, Sept. 20.,” VI, 607 and note
70 NDAR, “London Chronicle, Tuesday, September 24 to Thursday, September 26, 1776,” VI, 613 and note
71 NDAR, “London Chronicle, Tuesday, September 24 to Thursday, September 26, 1776,” VI, 613 and note
72 NDAR, “Copy of a Letter from Capt. Braithwaite, of the Hampden Packet Boat, dated Falmouth, Sept. 20.,” VI, 607 and note
73 NDAR, “London Chronicle, Tuesday, September 24 to Thursday, September 26, 1776,” VI, 613 and note. See also NDAR, “Public Advertiser, Tuesday, October 15, 1776,” VII, 690-691
74 NDAR, “Copy of a Letter from Capt. Braithwaite, of the Hampden Packet Boat, dated Falmouth, Sept. 20.,” VI, 607 and note
75 NDAR, “Public Advertiser, Wednesday, September 25, 1776,” VI, 612
76 NDAR, “Public Advertiser, Tuesday, October 15, 1776,” VII, 690-691
77 NDAR, “Continental Journal, Thursday, October 10, 1776,” VI, 1196 and note; “Boston Gazette, Monday, October 14, 1776,” VI, 1251-1252 and 1252 note
78 NDAR, “Boston Gazette, Monday, October 21, 1776,” VI, 1347 and note
79 NDAR, “The Freeman’s Journal, Tuesday, October 22, 1776,” VI, 1358 and note
80 NDAR, “William Hooper to Joseph Hewes,” VII, 11-12 and 12 note
81 NDAR, “Libels Filed Against Prizes in the Massachusetts Admiralty Court for the Middle District,” VI, 1471-1472
82 NDAR, “Independent Chronicle, Thursday, November 7, 1776,” VII, 70-72
83 NDAR, “Independent Chronicle, Thursday, November 14, 1776,” VII, 139-141
84 NDAR, “Boston Gazette, Monday, November 4, 1776,” VII, 34-35
85 NDAR, “Shipping Articles for the Massachusetts Privateer Sloop Rover,” VII, 125-126
86 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 267-268
87 NDAR, “London Chronicle, Thursday, April 24 to Saturday, April 26, 1777,” VIII, 794-795; “Gazette of the State of South-Carolina, Monday, May 12, 1777,” VIII, 956-957
88 NDAR, “Gazette of the State of South-Carolina, Monday, May 12, 1777,” VIII, 956-957
89 NDAR, “Independent Chronicle, Thursday, April 10, 1777,” VIII, 308-309
90 NDAR, “Continental Journal, Thursday, March 20, 1777,” VIII, 157 and note; “Libels Filed Against Thirteen Prizes in Massachusetts Admiralty Court for the Middle District,” VIII, 309-310
91 NDAR, “Libels Filed Against Thirteen Prizes in Massachusetts Admiralty Court for the Middle District,” VIII, 309-310
92 NDAR, “Continental Journal, Thursday, March 20, 1777,” VIII, 157 and note
93 NDAR, “London Chronicle, Thursday, May 15 to Saturday, May 17, 1777,” VIII, 850
94 NDAR, “Continental Journal, Thursday, March 20, 1777,” VIII, 157 and note
95 NDAR, “Libels Filed Against Thirteen Prizes in Massachusetts Admiralty Court for the Middle District,” VIII, 309-310
96 NDAR, “Journal of the Massachusetts Council,” IX, 10-11
97 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 268; NDAR, “Journal of H.M.S. Sphynx, Captain Anthony Hunt,” X, 644 and notes
98 NDAR, “Journal of H.M.S. Sphynx, Captain Anthony Hunt,” X, 644 and notes
99 NDAR, “The New-York Gazette: and the Weekly Mercury, Monday, December 22, 1777,” X, 779-780 and 780 notes
100 NDAR, “Journal of H.M.S. Sphynx, Captain Anthony Hunt,” X, 644 and notes
| Posted 21 February 2011 |
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