Name of Vessel:

Hero

Master of Vessel:

Charles Hartford [Harford]

Rig of Vessel:

Ship

Date of Capture:

[October] 1776

Place of Capture:

43°N,70°W, near the Newfoundland Banks

Captor:

New Hampshire Privateer Schooner McClary

Home Port:

Jamaica, British West Indies

From What Port:

Jamaica, British West Indies

To What Port:

Quebec, Quebec

Cargo:

Rum, sugar, coffee

Tonnage:

280

Battery:

Crew:

4 plus

Owners:

Prize master:

Prize crew:

Ordered Into:

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Into What Port:

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Date Arrived:

31 October 1776

Date Tried:

27 November 1776

Date Sold:

12 December 1776

Action:

No

Recaptured:

No

Comments: British Transport Ship Hero (Charles Harford or Hartford) a large 280-ton “fine River built” craft, with six feet between decks, was en route to Quebec from Jamaica with a cargo of 516 hogsheads of rum, as well as some sugar and coffee, for the British Army in Canada. Arriving off the St. Lawrence, Hartford was unable to get up the river because of contrary winds, and bore away for New York. Off the Newfoundland Banks, at 43°N,70°W, Hero fell in with New Hampshire Privateer Schooner McClary (Commander Robert Parker), which captured Hero. She arrived at Portsmouth, New Hampshire with the McClary on 31 October 1776. Among the cargo of rum were two special casks, one for Carleton and one for Burgoyne. The vessel and cargo were estimated at £20,000 value. Hero was libeled on 5 November 1776 and tried on 27 November. Hero was duly condemned, and her sale set for 12 December 1776. Hero was described as well found and well built, with six feet between decks, and suitable for a privateer. Her cargo was sold the day before. Hero sold for £25,892.1.4. Hartford and three crew members were sent to Newport, Rhode Island, for exchange on 31 January 1777.

[NDAR, VII, 46 and note, 56-57, 101, 353-354, 809-810, 1066-1067, 1273-1274; The Freeman’s Journal, or The New Hampshire Gazette, Tuesday, November 5, 1776; December 3, 1776]

Posted 5 September 2011

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