Name of Vessel:

Jenny

Master of Vessel:

William Foster

Rig of Vessel:

Ship

Date of Capture:

8 December 1775

Place of Capture:

Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts

Captor:

Continental Army Schooner Lee

Home Port:

From What Port:

London, England

To What Port:

Boston, Massachusetts

Cargo:

Provisions, porter, coal

Tonnage:

300, 325, 400

Battery:

2x6

Crew:

20

Owners:

Prizemaster:

Prize crew:

Ordered Into:

Beverly, Massachusetts

Into What Port:

Beverly, Massachusetts

Date Arrived:

9 December, 1775

Date Tried:

16 April 1776

Date Sold:

24 May 1776

Action:

No

Recaptured:

No

Comments: Jenny (William Foster) was a British Transport, which sailed from London about 20 October 1775 and had a seven weeks passage. Near Boston Foster was lured close to the Lee by Manley’s imitation of a Royal Navy schooner. When capture was sure, Foster threw overboard most of his papers and a few arms, an action generally considered in bad form by the Americans (he did so after he had surrendered, as the boarding party came aboard). Quick work by the Americans retrieved the package of letters as it floated. Among the documents recovered were the recognition signals for British transports. Escorted into Beverly by the Lee on 9 December 1775, along with the prize Little Hannah. On 10 December William Bartlett was instructed on how to dispose of the prisoners and was given instructions concerning the cargo, part of which was to be sold after 14 December by Bartlett. Foster was allowed to proceed to England with such of his crew as wanted to go on 26 February 1776. Libeled 26 February 1776. Washington considered purchasing her for the Continent, to be used as a cruiser for John Manley. He was therefore surprised to hear from Major General Artemus Ward that she was unsuitable for this purpose. Both Manley and William Bartlett had recommended her. Noting that the prizes were to be sold on 20 May and fearing they would go greatly below their value, Washington suggested to Ward that he have some one attend the auction with authority to buy the ship if the price was too low. He noted that she had cost £3000 only two or three years ago. Washington knew her value would be lessened by the plundering of her for the armed vessels. Ward followed through and sent William Bartlett to attend the sale. Bartlett, not thinking her fit for a warship and noting she sold very near her real value, did not bid her in. She sold for £1950.

[Maclay, History of American Privateers, 64-67; NDAR, II, 765 and note; III, 17 and note, 35-36 and 36 note, 44-45 and 45 note, 45 and note, 46-48 and 48 note, 54-56 and 56 note, 62 and note, 93-94, 145 and note, 181, 186 and note, 233 and note, 497 and note, 601-602 and 602 note, 631, 709-711, 834-835 and 835 note, 991, 1185 and note; V, 10, 251 and 251-252 note, 470-471; Clark, GWN, 231, 232]

Revised 10 August 2009