oliver cromwell massachusetts brigantine [coles richardson ... · oliver cromwell sloop-of-war (1)...

Oliver CromwellSloop-of-War (1) Commander William ColesMassachusetts Privateer 29 April 1777- Brigantine/Ship [ ](2) Master Robert Richardson

[ ] [ ]April 1778- June 1778 (3) Commander Thomas Simmons

10 July 1778-(4) Commander James Barr11 August 1779-(5) Commander John Bray13 April 1781-7 July 1781

Commissioned/First Date: 29 April 1777Out of Service/Cause: 7 July 1781/captured by HM Frigate Maidstone

Owners: (1) John Derby, G &eorge Dodge, Jr. Co. of Salem,Massachusetts and George, John and Andrew Cabot, JosephLee, and others of Beverly, Massachusetts; (2) JonathanIngersoll et al of Salem, Massachusetts; (3) John Derby et alof Salem, Massachusetts; (4) Bartholomew Putnam of Salem,Massachusetts

Tonnage: 150, 160, 162, 200

Battery: Date Reported: 29 April 1777Number/Caliber Weight Broadside16/6-pounder 96 pounds 48 poundsTotal: 16 cannon/96 poundsBroadside: 8 cannon/48 poundsSwivels:

Date Reported: 6 August 1777Number/Caliber Weight Broadside16/Total: 16 cannon/Broadside: 8 cannon/Swivels:

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Date Reported: 17 August 1777Number/Caliber Weight Broadside16/Total: 16 cannon/Broadside: 8 cannon/Swivels:

Date Reported: 23 September 1777Number/Caliber Weight Broadside19/6-pounder 114 pounds 54 poundsTotal: 19 cannon/114 poundsBroadside: 9 cannon/54 poundsSwivels:

Date Reported: 2 October 1777Number/Caliber Weight Broadside16/6-pounder 96 pounds 48 poundsTotal: 16 cannon/96 poundsBroadside: 8 cannon/48 poundsSwivels:

[ ]Date Reported: 25 October 1777Number/Caliber Weight Broadside16/Total: 16 cannon/Broadside: 8 cannon/Swivels:

Date Reported: 10 July 1778Number/Caliber Weight Broadside16/Total: 16 cannon/Broadside: 8 cannon/Swivels:

Date Reported: 29 March 1779Number/Caliber Weight Broadside16/6-pounder 96 pounds 48 poundsTotal: 16 cannon/96 poundsBroadside: 8 cannon/48 poundsSwivels:

Date Reported: 11 August 1779Number/Caliber Weight Broadside18/



Total: 18 cannon/Broadside: 9 cannon/Swivels:

Date Reported: February 1780Number/Caliber Weight Broadside14/Total: 14 cannon/Broadside: 7 cannon/Swivels:

Date Reported: 13 April 1781Number/Caliber Weight Broadside16/Total: 16 cannon/Broadside: 8 cannon/Swivels:

Crew: [ ](1) 29 April 1777: 130 total[ ](2) 23 September 1777: 170 total

[ ](3) 2 October 1777: 100 total[ ] [ ](4) 25 October 1777: 90 total

[ ](5) 10 July 1778: 101 total[ ](6) 29 March 1779: 111 total[ ](7) 11 August 1779: 111 total[ ](8) 3 February 1780: 30 total

[ ](9) 10 July 1780: 21 total[ ](10) 13 April 1781: 85 total

Description:

Officers: (1) First Lieutenant William Russell, 29 April 1777-; (2)First Lieutenant James Barr, 8 July 1778-; (3) FirstLieutenant I. Carpenter, 11 August 1779-; (4) First Mate[ ]Lieutenant Hugh Helme, 6 June 1780-; (5) First LieutenantThomas Brown, 18 April 1781-; (6) Second Lieutenant JohnColyer, 29 April 1777-; (7) Second Lieutenant Samuel West,11 August 1779-; (8) Second Mate [ ]Lieutenant WilliamRopes, 6 June 1780-; (9) Master Robert Richardson, 29 April1777-; (10) [ Prize ]Master Gray, 29 April 1777-; (11) SecondMate Bri [ ] [mblecum, 29 April 1777-; (12) Prize Master D.

]Moore ; (13) [ Prize ]Master [ John ]Leach , September 1777-

Cruises: [ ](1) Boston, Massachusetts to Bilboa, Spain, 20 July 1777-[ ]20 August 1777



(3) Bilboa, Spain to [ Sale ] [ ]m, Massachusetts , 1 October[ ]1777- December 1777

(4) Salem, M [ ]assachusetts to Salem, Massachusetts, 1September 1779-30 September 1779

(5) Salem, Massachusetts to the West Indies and return,February 1780-

(6) Salem, Massachusetts to the West Indies and return, June1780-

(7) Salem, Massachusetts to sea, -7 July 1781

Prizes: (1) Brigantine Lovely Nancy (John M [cCarthy), July-]August 1777

(2) Brig Rhoda [ ] (William Butcher), July-August 1777

(3) Brigantine William and Mary (Platt), 29 July 1777

(4) Sloop Three Brothers (Mathew Malone), 31 July 1777

[ ](5) Brig unknown , 6 August 1777

(6) Brig Queen of Portugal (Tibby), 6 August 1777

[ ](7) Sloop unknown , 13 August 1777

(8) [ ]Brig Douglas (M’Gill), off the Spanish coast, 16 August1777

(9) Brig Little Betsey (Thomas Freeman), 16 August 1777

(10) Brig Ville de Bayonne (Pierre Regnier), 16 August 1777

(11) Snow Eastley (William Anstric), 2 October 1777, 75miles off Oporto, Portugal

(12) Brig [ Bri ]gantine Lark (William Kentisbear[ Kentishvere; ]Canterbury ), 5 October 1777, off the coast ofPortugal

(13) Brigantine Endeavour (Robert Hogge [ ]ll), 15 October1777



(14) Sloop Fly (William Burden), [ 25 ] October 1777, offSanta Cruz, Funchal, Madeira Islands

(15) Schooner Friendship [ ] (Edward Tcole), August 1778

(16) Brig Little Peggy [ ] (Brown), September 1778

(17) Brigantine Seaflower (Jacob Bartlett), [ ]September 1778

(18) Sloop Ann and Maria (Patrick McEieue), [ ]September1778

(19) Brigantine Julius Caesar (Samuel Sparrow), [ ]September1778

Actions: (1) Action with Sally and Rawlinson, 6 August 1777(2) Action with Fly [ ], 25 October 1777

Comments:

Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Oliver Cromwell was commissioned on 29 April 1777 underCommander William Coles (or Cole) of Beverly, Massachusetts. Oliver Cromwell was said to bearmed with sixteen 6-pounders and to have a crew of 130 men.1 She was said to measure 162 tons.2

Her $10000 Continental bond was signed by Coles and by George Dodge, Jr. and John Buffington,both of Salem.3 Oliver Cromwell’s listed owners were John Derby, George Dodge, Jr. & Co., ofSalem, Massachusetts.4 George, John and Andrew Cabot, Joseph Lee, and others were also listedamong her owners.5 William Russell served aboard as First Lieutenant, John Colyer as SecondLieutenant, and Robert Richardson as Master. She was intended to sail with the fleet beingprepared under the command of Captain John Manley of the Continental Navy.6 She did not sailwith Manley’s fleet however.

1 Claghorn, Naval Officers of the American Revolution, 66; NDAR, 8: 463 and note; 10:“Libels Filed in the MassachusettsMaritime Court of the Middle District,” 354-355 and 355 note; Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 230

2 Howe, Beverly Privateers, 342

3 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 230

4 McManemin, Captains of the Privateers, 149; NDAR, “Petition of George Dodge, Jr. To the Massachusetts Council,” 8:463


6 NDAR, “Petition of George Dodge, Jr. To the Massachusetts Council,” 8: 463



Oliver Cromwell sailed about 20 July 1777.7 Two prizes had gotten into Maine ports, probablyFalmouth on Casco Bay, in late July or early August 1777, both captured by the Oliver Cromwell:a brig laden with wine, salt and dry goods; and a brig with a cargo of rum.8 One of these mayhave been the brigantine Rhoda (William Butcher), 120 tons, which was libeled on 9 October 1777,and tried on 30 October 1777.9 The other was probably the 100-ton brigantine Lovely Nancy (JohnMcCarthy), which was libeled on 29 August 1777 and tried in the Maritime Court of the MiddleDistrict on 16 September 1777.10

A sailor aboard the Oliver Cromwell kept a journal of the cruise. He records that, on 29 July theOliver Cromwell encountered a British vessel, with a cargo of fruit. She was bound to America butwas in distress. The unknown journalist said that the next day was “Fair, raw, cold, wind roughand sea. Sent our boat aboard the prize. Took out Mr. Dyer and one of the band [ sic: ]hands andsent Mr. French to take command and carry her to Bilbao.”11 Another extract from the journalrecords the prize master as one Trash, who was put aboard with orders to take her to Bilbao,Spain and report &to Gardoqui Sons. They were to sell the fruit (if it was too much damaged)and then forward the vessel with a crew to Salem.12 This was possibly the 150-ton brigantine13

William and Mary14(Platt).15 She arrived in Bilbao, Spain,16 before being sent off to Boston.17 D.Moore was probably the prize master for the voyage home.18 William and Mary safely arrived inMassachusetts, and was libeled on Christmas Day, with her trial set for 13 January 1778.19

The next day (31 July), at 0400, Oliver Cromwell took another prize. This was apparently the

7 NDAR, “Extract of a letter from Bilbao, Sept. 17,” 9: 647 and note

8 NDAR, “The Freeman’s Journal, Saturday, August 9, 1777,” 9: 707

9 NDAR, “Libels Filed in the Massachusetts Maritime Court of the Middle District,” 10: 90 and notes

10 The Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser [ ] Boston , Friday, August 29, 1777


12 McManemin, Captains of the Privateers, 149

13 NDAR, “Libels Filed in the Massachusetts Maritime Court of the Middle District,” 10: 804-805

14 NDAR, “Public Advertiser, Wednesday, September 3, 1777,” 9: 623 and note; “Libels Filed in the Massachusetts MaritimeCourt of the Middle District,” 10: 804-805

15 NDAR, “Public Advertiser, Wednesday, September 3, 1777,” 9: 623 and note

16 NDAR, “Extract of a letter from Bilboa, Sept. 17,” 9: 647


18 NDAR, 10: index, 1348




6020 or 70-ton sloop Three Brothers21 (or Three Sisters)22 (Mathew23 Malone)24 was en route fromCork to Lisbon25 with a cargo of butter and “Sheeps Guts.”26 One Horton was sent aboard as prizemaster,27 and she was ordered into Bilboa,28 where she arrived about 15 August 1777.29 Gardoqui& Sons were to sell the vessel and cargo, but at least the cargo, with the vessel being sent toSalem.30 She was later sent to Boston, Massachusetts, where she safely arrived. She was libeled asthe Three Brothers on Christmas Day and was tried on 13 January 1778.31

On 2 August 1777 Oliver Cromwell fell in with Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Fancy(Commander John Lee). The two privateers lay to and invited Lee aboard for dinner. In theconversation Lee said that he had taken nine prizes, “Some of which were retaken, Some were inBallast which he gave the prisoners, & 4 he had sent Home . . .” The two skippers agreed to sailtogether for a few days. On the evening of the next day a British warship chased the twoAmerican privateers and they separated.32

This British warship chased Oliver Cromwell unsuccessfully for several days. At 0700 on 6 August,in fair and pleasant weather, Oliver Cromwell sighted a sail ahead (with the warship was stillin chase) and captured her at 0800. The prize was a brig from Cork, Ireland in ballast. After

20 McManemin, Captains of the Privateers, 149, quoting the journal.


22 NDAR, “Public Advertiser, Wednesday, September 3, 1777,” 9: 623 and note. In the sailor’s journal she is called the ThreeSisters. McManemin, Captains of the Privateers, 149.


24 NDAR, “Public Advertiser, Wednesday, September 3, 1777,” 9: 623 and note; “Libels Filed in the Massachusetts MaritimeCourt of the Middle District,” 10: 804-805


26 NDAR, “Extract of a letter from Bilboa, Sept. 17,” 9: 647; McManemin, Captains of the Privateers, 149, quoting thejournal.





31 NDAR, “Public Advertiser, Wednesday, September 3, 1777,” 9: 623 and note; “Extract of a letter from Bilboa, Sept. 17,”9: 647

32 McManemin, Captains of the Privateers, 150, quoting from the journal.



placing her prisoners aboard, Oliver Cromwell released the brig.33

Soon after another prize, the 120-ton34 brig35 (or brigantine),36 Queen of Portugal (Richard Tibbey37

[ ]Tibby ),38 was captured. She was from Cork to Lisbon, Portugal with a cargo of butter and beef.This vessel was the former Pennsylvania Privateer Brigantine General Montgomery.39 AlthoughQueen of Portugal was under the Portuguese flag, her crew was removed leaving only Tibbey andthe passengers aboard.40 The prize was placed under the command of one Gray, and sheaccompanied the Oliver Cromwell for a time. Aboard the Queen of Portugal were a number ofpassengers, including some “Laidys,” whom it was determined should be landed on Britishterritory. Recalling that a British warship was still in pursuit, Oliver Cromwell sailed again. At1500 she sighted two brigs and ran down to them, Coles ordering Gray to keep away to thewest.41 Meanwhile, Gray bore away and encountered a convoy on 8 August, along with privateersGeneral Mercer (Commander James Babson) and Fanny (Commander John Kendrick), who had justtaken two prizes. Gray transferred his passengers to General Mercer and sailed for America. Hearrived at Boston at the end of September 1777. The prize was libeled on 9 October 1777,42 withtrial set for 30 October.43

After the Queen of Portugal separated, Coles tried to close the two brigs, but the wind died downand Coles’s crew broke out the oars. The two brigs, Rawlinson (W. Preston) and Sally (Cleland),

33 NDAR, “Journal of a Cruise in Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Oliver Cromwell, Captain William Coles,” 9: 552-553and 553 note







40 NDAR, “Extract of a Letter dated Nantz, August 21, fram a Passenger on Board the Queen of Portugal, Capt. Tibby,from Corke to Lisbon,” 9: 592-593 and 593 note


42 NDAR, “Extract of a Letter dated Nantz, August 21, fram a Passenger on Board the Queen of Portugal, Capt. Tibby,from Corke to Lisbon,” 9: 592-593 and 593 note; “Libels Filed in the Massachusetts Maritime Court of the Middle District,”10: 90 and notes




kept close together and formed into a line of battle. As the Oliver Cromwell closed up the Sallyopened fire, which Coles ignored until he was in close.44 Coles ordered Cleland to strike andCleland replied that he did not intend to. Coles fired two guns; Sally returned a broadside.45 OliverCromwell now poured two quick broadsides into Sally.46 Cleland was killed at the second shot andJohn Jugwood, his First Mate, took command. Rawlinson lay on Sally’s off side and only firedone gun. After a half-hour part of Sally’s crew ran for cover.47 After a few minutes of exchange

[ ]the first brig struck: “She... did ...earnestly beg of us to desist our Fire on her.”48 Coles thenheaded for the other brig,49 assisted by Sally dropping astern,50 and engaged her for three glasses(an hour and a half), before she fell off disabled. The first brig had resumed firing with her bow-chasers,51 having come up on Oliver Cromwell’s stern.52 Coles conferred with his officers (with thewarship still in chase). The action was broken off and Oliver Cromwell sailed away, changingcourse.53

The unknown author of the sailor’s journal said that “Capt Coles (to his eternal Honour be itremembered) with all other officers behaved with the greatest Magnanimity & Brivery possible .. . Through the marvellous goodness of God not one Life was lost on our Side; oir 1st Lieut. Waswounded by a Cannon Shott in both his thighs, just above the Knees, one or two of the Men werevery slightly wounded, – our Brig recd. Several Shotts in her Hull, Rigging & but ye Damage was


45 NDAR, “Extract of a Letter from Capt. John Jugwood, of the Brig Sally, of Lancaster, dated Cove of Corke, Aug. 15,”9: 569-570 and 570 note


47 NDAR, “Extract of a Letter from Capt. John Jugwood, of the Brig Sally, of Lancaster, dated Cove of Corke, Aug.15,” 9: 569-570 and 570 note

48 NDAR, “Journal of a Cruise in Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Oliver Cromwell, Captain William Coles,” 9: 552-553and 553 note; “Extract of a Letter from Capt. John Jugwood, of the Brig Sally, of Lancaster, dated Cove of Corke, Aug.15,” 9: 569-570 and 570 note





53 NDAR, “Journal of a Cruise in Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Oliver Cromwell, Captain William Coles,” 9: 552-553and 553 note. Another account is in Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 230



inconsiderable . . .”54

On 8 August a “Fleet of Transports” with three warships in escort was sighted.55 Coles steeredaway. In reality it was the Jamaica convoy, headed for England. The two brigs that OliverCromwell had fought, were in sight, unknown to Coles. They certainly recognized the Americanbrig and slipped into the convoy to escape.56

For the next few days the weather was bad. The journalist sailor described it as &“rough wind Sea.” On 13 August, at 1100 a small sloop was stopped. She was bound from the Isle of Man to“Port o P [ ]ort” Oporto, Portugal in ballast. After removing some sails, a gun, and other itemsfrom the sloop, Coles sent his prisoners aboard and released her.57

By 16 August the weather had improved. By now the Oliver Cromwell was off the Spanish coast.Coles made several prizes that day. The first captured, at 0100 on 16 August 1777, was anunidentified brig from London bound to Malaga, Spain, in ballast. As other prizes were made thesame day, and this one was in ballast, it can be presumed that this one was released.58 This wasprobably the Douglas (M’Gill). The prisoners from William and Mary and the Three Brothers wereplaced on her, and then she was released. The prisoners were landed in Ireland by M’Gill.59

A second sail was sighted at 0500 and captured at 1100.60 She was the 190-ton61 brig62 or








61 NDAR, “Libels Filed in the Massachusetts Maritime Court of the Middle District,” 10:354-355 and 355 note




brigantine63 Little Betsey (Thomas Freeman64 [ ]Trueman ),65 from London to Venice, Italy, withfish, dry goods, and china. Part of her cargo was removed before she was sent off to Boston.66 Shesafely arrived there and was libeled on 30 October 1777, with trial set for 25 November 1777.67

Listed simply as the 190-ton brigantine Betsey, she was advertised for sale at Salem, Massachusettson 22 January 1778.68

The third prize was sighted at 1400. Oliver Cromwell soon captured69 the 120-ton70 brig71 orbrigantine72 Ville de Bayonne (Pierre Regnier73 [ ] Peter Reguier ).74 She was a French vessel, witha French captain and crew, but with one hundred bales of English dry goods aboard, bound fromRouen, France,75 or owned there.76 She was from Exeter, England,77 and bound to Genoa,


64 NDAR, “Journal of a Cruise in Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Oliver Cromwell, Captain William Coles,” 9: 573-574and 574 note; “Libels Filed in the Massachusetts Maritime Court of the Middle District,” 10:354-355 and 355 note


66 NDAR, “Journal of a Cruise in Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Oliver Cromwell, Captain William Coles,” 9: 573-574and 574 note; “Extract of a letter from Bilboa, Sept. 17,” 9: 647


68 The Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser [ ] Boston , Thursday, January 22, 1778


70 NDAR, “Libels Filed in the Massachusetts Maritime Court of the Middle District,” 10:90 and notes







77 NDAR, “Journal of Continental Navy Frigate Raleigh, Captain Thomas Thompson,” 10:875 and note



Leghorn,78 or Naples, Italy.79 Coles removed the crew, except for the master and two sailors.80 Shewas ordered into Boston under Second Mate Brimblecum.81 On 8 September 1777 Ville de Bayonnewas at 43E31NN, 43E15NW when she was chased by a frigate, which proved to be Continental NavyShip Raleigh (Captain Thomas Thompson). Raleigh’s journal recorded she was from Exeter boundto Naples with woolen goods aboard.82 Ville de Bayonne safely arrived at Boston, being libeled on9 October 1777,83 with trial set for 30 October 1777.84

On 18 August three neutral vessels were stopped. One of these was French, and nine prisoners wereput aboard her, presumably from the Ville de Bayonne.85 The French vessel was bound from St.Malo, France to Cadiz, Spain, and landed at Cadiz.86 On the same day Oliver Cromwell stoppedand released an unidentified Danish brigantine.87

Oliver Cromwell sighted Cape Ortegal, Spain on 19 August. She sailed across the northen coastof Spain heading for Bilbao. The unknown journalist says that, on 23 August, “Our Pilot carriedus over the Bar; & anchored close under Port Gelat [ ]Portugaletes , up the bay from Bilbao . . .Went on Shore, & at 3 P M hove up Anchor & rowed up River as far as Allwago a pleasantlysituated Town on the River.”88 An observer ashore reported that she had been at sea for twenty-eight days, and had captured ten prizes. This reporter indicated Oliver Cromwell as being armedwith sixteen guns.89






83 NDAR, “Journal of a Cruise in Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Oliver Cromwell, Captain William Coles,” 9: 573-574and 574 note; “Libels Filed in the Massachusetts Maritime Court of the Middle District,” 10:90 and notes





88 McManemin, Captains of the Privateers, 151 quoting the sailors journal

89 NDAR, “Extract of a letter from Bilbao, Sept. 17,” 9: 647 and note



Oliver Cromwell found Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Civil Usage (Commander AndrewGiddings) and Massachusetts Privateer Schooner True American (Commander William Carlton) atBilbao. There was smallpox aboard these two privateers and the captains decided to inoculate thevarious crews, which was done. A hospital was set up and the surgeon’s journal reveals grimentries. On 24 August he records that several men were buried and that “all the Ships Crewswhich had not had it were inoculated.” The surgeon received his inoculation, from the doctor ofthe Civil Usage, the next day. The surgeon continued to care for his patients as he begandeveloping symptoms. On 30 August he called on the surgeon of the True American, who hadthirty-seven men in the hospital. He called on Captain Swasey of Newburyport, at the desire ofColes, to care for his mate. The journal continues to 31 August.90 One of the officers of the OliverCromwell, one Stanley, was taken with the disease and sent ashore to recuperate, as was theunknown author of the sailor’s journal.91

Meanwhile, the British had reacted to the raid of the Oliver Cromwell. HMS Exeter had sailedfrom Cork on 22 August, specifically looking for Oliver Cromwell.92

On 5 September 1777, one Nathaniel West joined the crew of the Oliver Cromwell. West was amerchant skipper wh &o joined the brig to get his passage home. “He had been taken Prisoner carried to London; but made his escape here,” according to the sailor’s journal.93

Photograph of a contemporary engraving of Bilbao, Spain. From Howe, Beverly Privateers.

90 NDAR, “Journal of a Cruise in Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Oliver Cromwell, Captain William Coles,” 9: 620-621






Four masters from among Oliver Cromwell’s and Civil Usage’s prisoners in Spain landed at Doveron 23 September, having come from Bilboa in a Spanish ship. They reported that the brig wasarmed with nineteen 6-pounders, with a crew of 170 men, with the other privateer being of similarforce. These men reported that there were seventeen prizes at Bilboa captured by the twoprivateers.94

Two of the numerous prizes at Bilboa belonged to Oliver Cromwell. Gardoqui & Sons managed tosell a brig and a sloop and some prize money was distributed to the crew.95 While at Bilboa Coleswas questioned as to why he had captured the French vessel, Ville de Bayonne. He declared thather being loaded with woolen good &s made it “absolutely necessary for him to take send themto America, as he knew that Washington’s Army was in the greatest Distress for want of allmanner of Clothing.”96

After replenishing, Oliver Cromwell fell down the river on 25 September. She sailed with twomerchant vessels, snow Neptune (Swasey) and brig Wolf (Worth), presumably escorting them toa good start on their voyage. On 30 September, in chasing a neutral Swedish vessel, the foretopmast was carried away in a gale.97

Oliver Cromwell steered toward the Canary Islands to begin cruising off that heavily traffickedarea. Four prizes were captured before 25 October 1777.98

Coles’s good fortune continued on his new cruise. On 2 October 1777 he was seventy-five milesoff Oporto, Portugal on a cloudy, rainy day. In the morning Oliver Cromwell ran down a sail andcaptured, at 1130, a 180-ton99 snow100 from Newfoundland with fish. She was the Eastley101 orEasterley (William Anstric102 [ ]Anstill ) bound to Oporto, and captured three days after leaving herconvoy. Her crew reported the privateer had sixteen 6-pounders and a crew of 100 men. She was

94 NDAR, “Extract of a Letter from Dover, Sept. 23,” 9: 655


96 NDAR, “Lord Grantham to Lord Weymouth,” 10:878-879 and 879 note


98 NDAR, “Extract of a Letter from a Passenger on board the Fly Sloop, William Burden, Commander, dated Teneriffe,Dec. 26,” 10:1152-1153 and 1153 note

99 NDAR, “Libels Filed in the Massachusetts Maritime Court of the Middle District,” 10:804-805

100 NDAR, “Libels Filed in the Massachusetts Maritime Court of the Middle District,” 10:804-805; “Journal of a Cruise inMassachusetts Privateer Brigantine Oliver Cromwell, Captain William Coles,” 10:854 and note

101 NDAR, “Journal of a Cruise in Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Oliver Cromwell, Captain William Coles,” 10:854 andnote




sent to America.103 Eastley was libeled on 25 December 1777 and tried on 13 January 1778.104 On4 October Oliver Cromwell stopped a French vessel, and promptly released her, but not beforeputting on the French vessel.105

Another sail was encountered on 5 October. At 1400 a sail was sighted and chased; at the sametime the coast of Portugal was sighted. The chase was soon captured.106 She was an 80-ton107 brig108

or brigantine109 from Newfoundland with fish, the Lark110 (William Kentisbear111 [ Kentishvere;]Canterbury ). Lark was owned in Poole, England, and was also sent to America.112 She was libeled

on 4 December 1777, and tried on 23 December 1777.113 Lark, listed as the 100-ton Larke, wasadvertised for sale at Salem, Massachusetts on 22 January 1778.114

On 16 October Oliver Cromwell’s lookouts, peering through thick weather at 0100, spotted a largeship astern. As dawn neared at 0500 she was seen gain, close under the brig’s stern. AlthoughColes raised sail the ship came up fast. She was soon identified as a frigate and shortly thereafterbegan firing at the Oliver Cromwell. Most shots went astray but some began to hit the brig’s hulland sails. Coles got the crew busy heaving the guns overboard; several casks of water followed.Thus lightened the brig began to draw away.115 Dawn on the 17th revealed the frigate still hard













115 NDAR, “Journal of a Cruise in Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Oliver Cromwell, Captain William Coles,” 10:918.Evidently only some guns were thrown overboard.



by, but Coles got out his sweeps and rowed, keeping well away.116 Another dawn revealed anempty sea. The frigate was not to be seen.117

One other prize was probably the 130-ton brigantine Endeavour (Robert Hoggell). She was libeledon 25 December 1777, with trial set for 13 January 1778.118 One of Oliver Cromwell’s prizesarrived at Salem before 15 December 1777. She was under prize master John Leach, who hadapparently been enlisted at Bilboa. The brig was en route from Liverpool to New York and hadbeen captured while the Oliver Cromwell was proceeding to America from Bilboa. Leach had beena ship master but left London in August 1777, unemployed. He reported that the British did nottrust Americans with their trading vessels.119 This brig was probably the Endeavour.

About 25 October the sloop Fly (William Burden) was sighted, chased and captured, about twelvemiles from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Burden elected to fight, but not forlong. A shot carried away Fly’s bowsprit and he surrendered. The Americans informed Burden theywere out of Bilboa, and that they had, in the space of fifteen days, captured four prizes. TheBritish noted Oliver Cromwell as being armed with sixteen guns and as having a crew of aboutninety men. Coles gave the British Fly’s boat and sent everyone ashore, except three black sailors,which he detained. Fly was sent off to America, where she was libeled on 1 January 1778.120 Fly,listed as 80-tons, was advertised for sale at Salem, Massachusetts on 22 January 1778.121 She wasnot sold then, but was advertised again on 26 February 1778.122 Oliver Cromwell took the sloopin tow for the next several days. On 26 October she sighted the Canary Islands and steered forhome.123

116 NDAR, “Journal of a Cruise in Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Oliver Cromwell, Captain William Coles,” 10:920

117 NDAR, “Journal of a Cruise in Massachusetts Privateer Brigantine Oliver Cromwell, Captain William Coles,” 10:922


119 NDAR, “The Boston-Gazette, and Country Journal, Monday, December 15, 1777,” 10:738-739 and 739 note

120 NDAR, “Extract of a Letter from a Passenger on board the Fly Sloop, William Burden, Commander, dated Teneriffe,Dec. 26,” 10: 1152-1153 and 1153 note. The date given by the writer of the letter is 25 November. NDAR suggests that 5November is probably the correct date. However, neither date is likely in my opinion. The most likely date is 25 October.It seems that the Fly must have sailed at some time between 25 September and 1 October. This gives her a month to arrivein the vicinity of the Canary Islands. We know that 25 November is wrong. If the date is 5 November, and Oliver Cromwellwas out fifteen days, she sailed from Bilbao about 21 October. That means she ran into Bilbao, obtained more cannon, leftagain in five days, and took four prizes before the Fly. This seems unlikely. If 25 October is the correct date, it means shedid not jettison very many guns, continued her cruise, and captured the Fly after being at sea about three to four weeks. Onbalance 25 October seems to be the correct date. In the libel her master is given as John Bray. The date is confirmed by the“Journal of a Cruise in 1777 in the Privateer Brig Oliver Cromwell,” in the Essex Institute Historical Collections, vol. XLV,Salem, 1909, pp. 245-255, which records towing the prize on 26 October.


122 The Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser [ ] Boston , Thursday, February 26, 1778




On 17 April 1778 Oliver Cromwell was at sea again under a new commander, one Richardson. Shehad sailed on 9 April from Salem. Oliver Cromwell was spoken by the Massachusetts NavyBrigantine Tyrannicide (Captain Jonathan Haraden) on the 17th, after a two hour chase.124

Richardson was probably the master Robert Richardson from the former cruise.

Oliver Cromwell was re-commissioned on 10 July 1778, under Commander Thomas Simmons ofSalem. She was listed as being armed with sixteen guns and as having a crew of 100 men.125 Shewas stated to measure 160 tons.126 £ Her $10000 Continental and 4000 Massachusetts bonds weresigned by Simmons and by Jonathan Ingersoll and George Cabot, both of Salem.127 James Barr,of Salem, was now her First Lieutenant, from 8 July.128

The following cruise, or cruises, produced these prizes:

(1) The 45-ton schooner Friendship (Edward Tcole), which was libeled on 17 September 1778, andtried in the Maritime Court of the Middle District on 7 October 1778.129

(2) The 75-ton brig Little Peggy (Brown) was libeled on 15 October 1778, and tried on 11November 1778.130

(3), (4) and (5) The 100-ton brigantine Seaflower (Jacob Bartlet), the 30-ton sloop Ann and Maria(Patrick McEieue) and the 200-ton brigantine Julius Caesar (Samuel Sparrow) were libeled on 5November 1778, and tried on 13 November 1778.131

Oliver Cromwell was re-rigged as a ship during the winter of 1778.132 She was re-commissionedas a sh £ip on 29 March 1779, again under Simmons. Her new $10000 Continental and 4000Massachusetts bonds were signed by Simmons and by John Derby and Bartholomew Putnam of

124 NDAR, “Log of Massachusetts Navy Brigantine Tyrannicide, Captain Jonathan Haraden, Commander,” 12: 133 and n.




128 Howe, Beverly Privateers in the Revolution, 424

129 The Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser [ ] Boston , Thursday, September 17, 1778

130 The Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser [ ] Boston , Thursday, October 15, 1778

131 The Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser [ ] Boston , Thursday, November 5, 1778




Salem. Her battery was listed as sixteen133 6-pounders, she was said to measure 150 tons,134 and hercrew was listed as 110 men.135

She was again re-commissioned on 11 August 1779 under Commander James Barr, her former FirstLieutenant. Oliver Cromwell was now listed as being armed with eighteen guns and as having acrew of 110 men. Her new $10000 Conti £nental and 4000 Massachusetts bonds were signed byBarr, Bartholomew Putnam and Benjamin Goodhue, Jr. of Salem.136 In Barr’s commission OliverCromwell is stated to be a ship of 150 tons or “thereabouts.” The owners were listed as Putnamand others of Salem.137 One I. Carpenter served as First Lieutenant and Samuel West as SecondLieutenant.138

On 28 August, Thomas Simmon delivered sailing orders to Barr on behalf of the owners:

“You being appointed to the command of our armed ship Oliver Cromwell nowready for sea on a cruise We advise that you put to sea as soon as possible andproceed for the Grand Bahama Bank and cruise between that and St Augustine andpay particular attention to the Ships coming through the Gulf. If you meet withany fine goods on board any of your Prizes we would have you take them on boardyour own vessel having an exact account taken of them upon your receipt of them.Be particularly careful to send home all Letters Newspapers Ships papers &c sealedup to the agent in the Prize. Be sure not to put Into any port unless you are underan Absolute Necessity. At whatever port your prizes may arrive at on this continentorder your prize masters not to leave it until they have advised the owners thereofand received their directions how further to proceed. Order all your prize mastersyou despatch with Prizes to remember that they are and must be accountable forall goods that may be embezzled. Be sure to take no Vessels but such as Congresshave resolved to be lawful prizes. Not doubting of your utmost exertions for the

&interests of the concerned we are your real friends c owners . . .”139




136 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 231-232. In Howe, Beverly Privateers, 425, Barr is said to have beencommissioned to the “sloop” Oliver Cromwell on 11 August, and to the “ship” Oliver Cromwell on 16 August. These are thesame vessel, commission and man.



139 Essex Institute Historical Collections, Volume 27, Essex Institute; Peabody and Essex Museum, Salem, Essex InstitutePress: 1890, 135



Some time after sailing, on a hazy morning, the OliverCromwell sighted a large ship ahead, with a yellowstreak around her sides. She had stump topgallantmasts and looked, to Barr, like a vessel of the WestIndia company. Barr raised sail and came up with theship. As he approached she raised her waist cloths andrevealed two rows of gunports. The “West India” shipwas a double-decked British frigate. The British frigatefired a whole broadside into the Oliver Cromwell,cutting her up considerably. Fortunately there was littledamage aloft and the Oliver Cromwell eluded herpursuer.140

Following the encounter with the British frigate, OliverCromwell resumed her cruise. At 32EN, 71EW she wasovertaken by “a kind of hurricane.”141 Barr sent mostof the crew below decks, battening down the hatches.The remaining men worked the ship,142 but the windtook away her main mast and her mizzen mast,severely crippling the vessel. Oliver Cromwell limpedinto Salem before 30 September 1779. Barr reportedthat he had sighted a large fleet or convoy in hispassage but had no further information.143

The owners decided to repair the privateer and use her as a letter-of-marque trader. In preparationfor the voyage the Oliver Cromwell’s battery was reduced to fourteen guns and her crew to thirtymen. A cargo of lumber was put aboard and she was cleared out by the naval officer on 3 February1780.144

On 8 February Barr received these instructions from his owners:

“As you command our ship Oliver Cromwell bound to the West Indies as a Letterof Marque and as you must be sensible that a careful attention to our Interestduring the voyage will in effect be the promoting your own we make no doubt youwill punctually comply with our orders as far as circumstances will permit. Whenyour ship is ready & the wind invites proceed directly for Guadal &oup on your

A photo-gravure of James Barr from a portrait in

Leghorn. In the Essex Historical Collections, volume

27.


141 The Pennsylvania Evening Post [ ] Philadelphia , Tuesday, October 12, 1779, datelined Boston, September 30, 1779

142 Essex Institute Historical Collections, 27:135

143 The Pennsylvania Evening Post [ ] Philadelphia , Tuesday, October 12, 1779, datelined Boston, September 30, 1779

144 Essex Institute Historical Collections, 27:139-140



&arrival dispose of your Cargo lay out the proceeds together with the amount ofyour Bills if honored in Molasses & Cotton & return home taking particular care notto load deep We cannot think it prudent to cruise on either passage but don t forbidyour chasing any Vess &el that falls in your way provided your ship sails fast appearances encourage the pursuit but even in that case you cant be too cautious.Should you be fortunate enough to make prize of any vessel order her either to theWest Indies or Home as safety & the Kind of Cargo she may have shall determineyour judgment.”145

Evidently this voyage was completed, for OliverCromwell was ordered on a second trading voyage. Theshopping articles exist for this voyage and they showthat the crew consisted of twenty-one men. Barr signedthe articles on 6 June 1780, as did First Mate HughHelme and Second Mate William Ropes. All the restsigned on 10 July 1780. All the men were given advancepay and a privilege for the return voyage home.146

On 20 July, Edward Allen, acting for the owners,issued the sailing orders to Barr:

“When the ship Oliver Cromwell is manned you willproceed for Fort Dolphin in Hispanola and there makesale of your cargo the amount whereof together withTwenty thousand Livers we have ordered our friendsMess Tyrel & Pravy of Cape Francois to furnish you asappears by the letter delivered you being part of abalance due us & on acct of ship Sebastian BrigSaratoga, you will invest these & sums in Molasses Coffee & Proceed for home, if you should make prize ofany vessel during the voyage order her home unless hercargo should be Fish which must be sent to the WestIndies. Prudence & Industry though little attended to atthe present day are yet of consequence in our opinion &in the exercise of them we believe you will promote

&your own interest that of your owners.”147

The Oliver Cromwell was advertised for sale, on 18 January 1781. The sale was to be held at

This appears to be a very early photograph, taken

about 1840, showing James Barr at age ninety. If

so, this is a very rare photograph of a veteran of the

American Revolution. In the Essex Historical

Collections, volume 27.






Beverly on 24 January. Oliver Cromwell is stated to have been a ship of 200 tons.148 She wasbought by John and Andrew Cabot, William Bartlett, Nathan Leach and others, all of Beverly.149

Oliver Cromwell was commissioned on 13 April 1781 under Commander John Bray of Beverly,Massachusetts. She was listed as measuring 160 tons, and as having a battery of sixteen guns andas having a crew of eighty-five men. Her $20000 bond was signed by Bray and by Nathan Leachand William Bartlett, both of Beverly.150 Thomas Brown was aboard as First Lieutenant on 18April 1781.151

Oliver Cromwell was soon on her maiden voyage, sailing north and east. On 7 July 1781 she hadthe misfortune to be captured by HM Frigate Maidstone (Captain William Parker) on theNewfoundland coast,152 while dogging a Quebec convoy.153

Her crew were not prisoners long. A cartel arrived from St. Johns, Newfoundland at Boston,Massachusetts on 15 August 1781, with 400 prisoners aboard for exchange. At least some of OliverCromwell’s crew were aboard.154 Others of the crew, including Bray, arrived at Boston in a cartelon 22 September 1781.155

A ship Oliver Cromwell, armed with sixteen guns and with a crew of 100 men, was reported tobe in service under Commander Nathaniel West of Salem, at some point in the latter part of thewar, about 1781. This same ship was under the command of Benjamin Cole at one time.156 This iscertainly not this Oliver Cromwell.

148 The Independent Chronicle and The Universal Advertiser [ ] Boston , Thursday, January 18, 1781


150 NRAR, 408; Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 232; Howe, Beverly Privateers, 413

151 Howe, Beverly Privateers in the Revolution, 426

152 The London Gazette, Saturday, January 26 to Tuesday, January 29, 1782; Winfield, British Warships in the Age of Sail1714-1792, 228


154 The Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser [ ] Boston , Thursday, August 16, 1781





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