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Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Venus |
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| Venus | Commander Richard Whellen |
| Sloop-of-War [Brig/Sloop] | 9 August 1779-[7 September] 1779 |
| Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine |
| Commissioned/First Date: | 9 August 1779 |
| Out of Service/Cause: | [7 September] 1779/driven ashore and destroyed by HM Frigate Daphne |
| Owners: | John Walker, Jr. et al of Boston, Massachusetts |
| Tonnage: |
| Battery: | Date Reported: 9 August 1779 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 16/ Total: 16 cannon/ Broadside: 8 cannon/ Swivels: Date Reported: 6 October 1779 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 14/ Total: 14 cannon/ Broadside: 7 cannon/ Swivels: |
| Crew: | (1) 9 August 1779: 76 [total]
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| Description: |
| Officers: | (1) First Lieutenant Uriah Swaine, 9 August 1779-[7 September] 1779 |
| Cruises: |
| Prizes: |
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Comments:
Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Venus was commissioned on 9 August 1779 under Commander Richard Whellen of Boston, Massachusetts. She was listed as being armed with sixteen guns and as having a crew of seventy-five men. Her $5000 Continental and £4000 Massachusetts bonds were executed by Whellen and by John Walker, Jr. and Isaac Sears, both of Boston.1 Uriah Swaine served aboard as First Lieutenant.2
On 13 August there is a Massachusetts bond for £5000 signed by Whellen and Leonard Jarvis and Joseph Russell of Boston. This bond was probably to ensure performance of a mission for the Massachusetts Council. At the request of the Navy Board of the Eastern Department, Venus was to proceed (notwithstanding the embargo) to Bedford to escort the schooner Hannah and Molley back to Boston. The schooner was carrying flour for the Continental Navy. After performing this duty Venus was to sail on her cruise.3
This is possibly the “Brigantine Venus” of fourteen guns and seventy men, that was driven ashore and destroyed by HM Frigate Daphne (Captain John Chinnery) about 7 September 1779.4
1 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 315
2 MASSRW 15:271
3 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 315
4 The New-York Gazette; and The Weekly Mercury, Monday, October 11, 1779, datelined October 6
| Posted 23 December 2009 |
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