Name of Vessel:

Betty

Master of Vessel:

James Dawson

Rig of Vessel:

Brig

Date of Capture:

[December] 1777

Place of Capture:

At 18°N

Captor:

Massachusetts Privateer Schooner Harlequin

Home Port:

[Liverpool, England]

From What Port:

Liverpool, England

To What Port:

Dominica, British West Indies

Cargo:

Provisions, dry goods

Tonnage:

Battery:

Crew:

Owners:

John Chorley [of Liverpool, England]

Prize master:

Prize crew:

Ordered Into:

[Massachusetts]

Into What Port:

Newport, Rhode Island

Date Arrived:

Date Tried:

Date Sold:

Action:

No

Recaptured:

Yes

Comments: Brig Betty (James Dawson) was owned by John Chorley and probably based in Liverpool, England. She was en route from Liverpool to Dominica, British West Indies with a cargo of provisions and dry goods when, about December 1777, she was captured by the Massachusetts Privateer Schooner Harlequin (Commander Francis Bowden Dennis) at 18°N. The Betty was dispatched to Massachusetts by Dennis. On 28 January 1778 Betty was about sixty miles east northeast of the southern part of St. Georges Bank. HM Frigate Apollo (Captain Philemon Pownoll) was in the same area and sighted Betty at 0800, to the west. A chase followed and Betty was overhauled at 1200. The prisoners were removed to the Apollo and a petty officer and six men went aboard as a prize crew. The Betty was sent in to Newport, Rhode Island.

[NDAR, XI, 219 and notes]