Name of Vessel:

Betsey

Master of Vessel:

Alvara Lofthouse

Rig of Vessel:

Brigantine [Sloop]

Date of Capture:

7 August 1775

Place of Capture:

Off St. Augustine Bar, East Florida

Captor:

South Carolina Navy Sloop Commerce

Home Port:

From What Port:

London, England

To What Port:

St. Augustine, East Florida

Cargo:

Gunpowder

Tonnage:

Battery:

2x

Crew:

24

Owners:

Prize master:

Prize crew:

Ordered Into:

Into What Port:

Date Arrived:

Date Tried:

Released

Date Sold:

Action:

No

Recaptured:

No

Comments: Brigantine Betsey was bringing the annual powder importation for the Indian trade in East Florida. She was anchored off St. Augustine Bar while lighters unloaded her, where she was caught by South Carolina Navy Sloop Commerce (Captain Clement Lempriere). After boarding the vessel and bribing the crew, the powder was transferred to the Commerce: 111 and 1/2 barrels and thirty kegs. Lempriere paid the master for the powder (£1000), spiked the two guns, and released the Betsey. Twelve sailors and twelve soldiers were aboard at the time of capture.

[NDAR, I, 1091-1092, 1122, 1122-1123, 1169, 1193; NDAR, II, 104-105]

Revised 2 December 2008