Name of Vessel:

Dorothy

Master of Vessel:

John Pennell

Rig of Vessel:

Brig

Date of Capture:

30 November 1776

Place of Capture:

Captor:

Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Washington

Home Port:

From What Port:

Newfoundland

To What Port:

Viana do Castelo, Portugal

Cargo:

Fish

Tonnage:

75

Battery:

Crew:

Owners:

Prize master:

Prize crew:

Ordered Into:

[Boston, Massachusetts]

Into What Port:

[Boston, Massachusetts]

Date Arrived:

Date Tried:

29 April 1777

Date Sold:

Action:

No

Recaptured:

No

Comments: Brig or brigantine Dorothy (John Pennell), 75 tons, was en route from Newfoundland to Viana do Castelo, Portugal, with a cargo of fish. She was taken about 30 November 1776. The Washington now being full of prisoners, Smith stopped a Dutch hoy en route to Rouen, France, and put four masters and sixteen men aboard her (the morning following capture of the Dorothy). The Dutchman landed the prisoners at Barfleur, France on 2 December 1776. Now fish was an export from America, not an import, and the prime market for fish was directly in front of Smith. A scheme was hatched: the prize master took the Dorothy in to Bilboa, Spain and managed to pass himself off as her master long enough to sell the fish. He was uncovered before he got the money, however, which was impounded, and he took Dorothy to sea. The British were pressing the Spaniards for full restitution by 31 December, claiming Washington was a pirate vessel. Dorothy was sent to Massachusetts, where she was libeled 10 April 1777 and tried 29 April.

[NDAR, VII, 794, 816-818 and 818 note; VIII, 309-310, 542-543]

Posted 10 August 2011

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