Name of Vessel:

Allston [Alston]

Master of Vessel:

Commander William Thompson

Rig of Vessel:

Sloop

Date of Capture:

18 April 1777

Place of Capture:

24 miles southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina

Captor:

HM Frigate Galatea

Home Port:

Charleston, South Carolina

From What Port:

Charleston, South Carolina

To What Port:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Cargo:

Rice, salt, rum, tea, coffee

Tonnage:

Battery:

Crew:

Owners:

Prize master:

Prize crew:

Ordered Into:

New York, New York

Into What Port:

New York, New York

Date Arrived:

Date Tried:

Date Sold:

Action:

No

Recaptured:

No

Comments: South Carolina Privateer Sloop Allston or Alston (Commander William Thompson) sailed from Charleston, South Carolina about mid-April 1777 bound for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a cargo of rice, salt, rum, tea and coffee. On 18 April she was about twenty-four miles southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina. About 0800 Allston was sighted by HM Frigate Galatea (Captain Thomas Jordan) who gave chase. He began firing at Allston at 1430 and she surrendered after five shots. She was sent into New York, New York. High Court of Admiralty records exist for her trial and condemnation. She is referred to there as an American merchant vessel.

[Coker, Charleston’s Maritime Heritage, 300; NDAR, VIII, 370-371 and 371 note, 1053-1063; HCA 32/266/13/1-7]