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Massachusetts Privateer Schooner Viper |
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| Viper | Commander Benjamin Wormell [Wormwell] |
| Schooner | 9 September 1776-26 September 1776 |
| Massachusetts Privateer Schooner |
| Commissioned/First Date: | 9 September 1776 |
| Out of Service/Cause: | 26 September 1776/captured by HM Frigate Perseus |
| Owners: | William Spooner and Stephen Bruce of Boston, Massachusetts |
| Tonnage: |
| Battery: | Date Reported: 9 September 1776 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 6/ Total: 6 cannon/ Broadside: 3 cannon/ Swivels: eight |
| Crew: | 9 September 1776: 50 [total]
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| Description: |
| Officers: | (1) First Lieutenant Joseph Lovace, 9 September 1776-26 September 1776; (2) Second Lieutenant Alexander Martin, 9 September 1776-26 September 1776; (3) Surgeon Josiah Levett, 9 September 1776-26 September 1776 |
| Cruises: | (1) Boston, Massachusetts to sea, 17 September 1776-26 September 1776 |
| Prizes: |
| Actions: | (1) Action with Perseus, 26 September 1776 |
Comments:
Massachusetts Privateer Schooner Viper (Commander Benjamin Wormell1 [Wormwell])2 was commissioned on 9 September 1776, listing a crew of fifty men and a battery of six guns and eight swivels. Her $5000 Continental bond was signed by Wormell and by Walter Spooner and Stephen Bruce, both of Boston. The last two men were listed as her owners.3 According to the petition the First Lieutenant was Joseph Lovace,4 the Second Lieutenant was Alexander Martin,5 and the Surgeon was Josiah Levett.6
Viper sailed from Boston on 17 September. On 26 September Viper met a convoy in the Atlantic, at 41o14'N, 52o29'W. The convoy was scattered, which may account for Wormell not noticing the escort vessel, HM Frigate Perseus (Captain George Keith Elphinstone). By 1000 Viper had worked herself into the convoy, which Perseus was busy trying to collect. Perseus sighted Viper and began chasing her at once. While the chase was underway, Perseus' men manhandled one of her 9-pounders on to the forecastle. Soon Perseus was “gaining very fast on the Chace with every Sail out possible.” The Americans were hard pushed and got out Viper's oars, to add a little speed to her flight. At 1600 Perseus began firing her bow chasers. About 1700, while firing the 9-pounder on the forecastle, Perseus's men accidently shot her spritsail and sprit-yard. Finally, about 2000 the Perseus approached the Viper: “fir'd many great Guns Swivels and Small Arms at the Chace which struck.” The prisoners were brought aboard and the frigate's gunner, another petty officer, and six men manned the prize.7
Viper was sent into New York, New York, where she was tried and condemned. The High Court of Admiralty records refer to her as an armed schooner, and her commander as Wormwell.8
Viper was in service with the Royal Navy, probably as a tender, on 20 October 1777, under Midshipman Edward Pakenham.9
At least some of Viper’s crew were exchanged from Rhode Island, arriving in a cartel at Boston about 23 January 1777. These men are variously attributed to the Viper10 and to the Massachusetts Privateer Sloop Wolf (Commander Nathaniel Freeman).11 It is possible to recognize “Lieutenant Josiah Loves” as Joseph Lovace and “Surgeon Joseph Lovet” as Josiah Levett, however.
1 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 317
2 HCA 32/475/5/1-7
3 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 317
4 MASSRW 9:988
5 MASSRW 10:279
6 MASSRW 9:721
7 NDAR, “Journal of H.M.S. Perseus, Captain George Keith Elphinstone,” VI, 1018-1019 and 1019 note
8 HCA 32/475/5/1-7
9 NDAR, “Vice Admiral Viscount Howe to Philip Stephens,” X, 226 and note
10 MASSRW 1:117, 337, 435, 436; 3:11, 38, 526, 672, 937; 4:36; 5:3, 153; 7:161, 510, 605, 608; 8:726; 9:1014; 12:894, 905; 13:112; 14:617, 653, 907; 17:474
11 NDAR, “American Prisoners Exchanged at Rhode Island,” VII, 984-985
| Posted 6 January 2010 |
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