Name of Vessel:

Molly [Polly]

Master of Vessel:

James Lash [Lush, Lusk]

Rig of Vessel:

Ship

Date of Capture:

24 November 1776

Place of Capture:

Off Louisburg, Nova Scotia

Captor:

Continental Navy Ship Alfred

Home Port:

Newcastle, England

From What Port:

Louisburg [Spanish River], Nova Scotia

To What Port:

New York, New York

Cargo:

Coal

Tonnage:

Battery:

Crew:

Owners:

Prizemaster:

Second Mate James Bechup [Bachope]

Prizecrew:

Ordered Into:

Newport, Rhode Island

Into What Port:

Londonderry, Ireland

Date Arrived:

15/16 January 1777

Date Tried:

Date Sold:

Action:

No

Recaptured:

Yes

Comments: British Transport Ship Molly (or Polly) (James Lash [Lush, Lusk]), out of Newcastle, England,  was captured by Continental Navy Ship Alfred (Captain John Paul Jones) on 24 November 1776, along with British Transport Ships Surprize and Betty. The three vessels were under escort of HM Frigate Flora, and had parted with her on the 23rd. Flora was nearby but out of sight in the hazy weather. The vessels were en route to New York from Louisburg, Nova Scotia with coal. Jones saw the three ships and mistook them for British warships, as did his crew. Nevertheless he steered for the nearest ship, took her, and then captured the other two, although they were somewhat seperated. On the 25th Second Mate James Bechup [Bachope]  was appointed as Molly's prizemaster and ordered to take station on Alfred's starboard quarter, astern of the prize John. Bechup was to keep company with Alfred, but if seperated he was to make for Rhode Island, going in through Nantucket Shoals. The master was allowed to remain on board, but the crew was removed. Bechup kept Molly on station until 6 December 1776 when she parted from Alfred in a heavy sea and a strong westerly gale. After seperating from the Alfred Bechup conspired with members of the crew and the master of the vessel and retook the ship, bringing Molly into Londonderry, Ireland on 15 or 16 January 1777. From Londonderry she was taken to Plymouth and Bechup traveled up to London to seek a reward from the British Navy Board. On 12 May 1777 he was given £100 for his trouble.

[NDAR, VII, 267-270, 329-330 and 330 note, 417, 1158; NDAR, VIII, 529 and note, 538 and note, 840]

Posted 10 August 2011

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