John Calef's Journal of the Siege.*
The Siege of Penobscot by the Rebels;
Journal of the proceedings of his Majesty's Forces detached from the 74th and 82d Regiments, consisting of about 700 Rank and File, under the Command of Brigadier-General Francis McLean,
Three of his Majesty's Sloops of War, of 16 guns each, under the Command of Captain Henry Mowatt, Senior Officer-
Three Thousand Three Hundred (Rebel) Land Forces, under the Command of Brigadier Solomon Lovell,
Seventeen Rebel Ships and Vessels of War under the Command of G. Saltonstall, Commodore.
A Proclamation issued June 15, 1779, by General McLean and Captain Barclay, to the Inhabitants;
Brigadier General Lovell's Proclamation to the Inhabitants; and his Letter to Commodore Saltonstall found on board the Rebel Ship Hunter;
the Names, Force, and Commanders of the Rebel Ships destroyed in Penobscot Bay and River, August 14 and 15th, 1779,
A Chart of the Peninsula of Majabigwaduce, and of Penobscot River, To which is subjoined a Postscript, wherein a short Account of the Country of Penobscot is given.
By J. C. Esq. - a volunteer
Printed for G. Kearsleep, in Fleet Street, & Ashley & Neele, (late Spilsbury's) in Russel-Court, Covent-garden, M. DCC LXXXI.
*From a volume belonging to Harvard College Library. The spelling and punctuation are the same as in the original edition.
On the 17th day of June, 1779, Brigadier General Francis McLean landed at Majabigwaduce (Penobscot), with about 700 of his Majesty's forces, composed of detachments from the 74th and 82d regiments, to take post in the eastern country of New England. The time from this day to the 17th of July was taken up in clearing a spot to erect a fort, and building the same, and a battery near the shore, with storehouses, &c.
July 18. Intelligence was received that a fleet and army were preparing at Boston to besiege Penobscot, of which little notice was taken. Captain Henry Mowatt, of his Majesty's sloop Albany, having been many years on the American station, and well acquainted with the disposition of the inhabitants, and of the importance of the country of Penobscot to the Americans, for firewood, lumber, masts, cod and river fishing gave credit to the information, and ordered the three sloops of war into the best situation to defend the harbour, annoy the Enemy and co-operate with the land forces.
July 19. The intelligence of yesterday gains credit; whereupon the General, in order to make the proper dispositions for an immediate defense, desists, for the present, from his purpose of proceeding in a regular way as to the fort, and prepares to fortify in a manner more expeditious, and better suited to the present emergency; in doing which he shows the utmost vigilance and activity, giving everywhere the necessary directions, visiting incessantly, by night and day the different parts of the works, and thus by his example animating his men to proceed, regardless of fatigue, with vigour and alacrity in their operations. The Inspector of the inhabitants begs leave of the General to call in the people, to assist in carrying on the works; which being granted, about a hundred inhabitants came in (with their Captain* at their head) as volunteers; and having worked three days gratis, cleared the land in the front of the fort, to the satisfaction of the General, who returned them his thanks. *Mr. John Perkins
July 20. All hands busy at work, preparing to receive the enemy. At noon, Captain Mowatt, having made every preparation in his power to secure the harbour, &c., sent 180 men on shore from the ships of war, to work on the fort.
July 21. Intelligence is received that a fleet of near forty sail of vessels had sailed from Boston, eastward. All hands at work, day and night.
July 22. Nothing remarkable. All hands at work day and night. This evening a spy brought an account, that forty sail of vessels put into Townsend Harbour, yesterday.
July 23. Every person busily employed. The Inspector calls in a great number of the inhabitants to work, who are employed in felling trees, raising an abbatis round the fort, building platforms for the guns, &c. Saw three sails in the offing. Several canoes from the islands below, came to advise the General of a large number of vessels being becalmed off St. George's Island, standing with the heads to the eastward. All doubt of an attack from the Enemy, is now vanished.
July 24. At 4 p.m., discovered a large fleet standing up the bay, which, from various circumstances, we believed to be the armament that, according to intelligence received, had been fitted out at Boston, to besiege this place. On this account, Captain Mowatt thought proper to detain the North and Nautilus sloops, which had been ordered for other service. At five, by signal from the Albany, the seamen, who had been for some days past at work in raising the southeast bastion of the fort, repaired on board their respective shops, (which were immediately cleared for action) and, as has been usual, were every evening exercised at their quarters. The Albany, North, and Nautilus, had dropped down the harbour, and moored in a well-formed and close line of battle across the entrance immediately within the rocks on Majabagwaduce point, and the point of Nautilus, or Cross Island; giving a berth out of the line of fire to three transports, stationed and prepared to slip and run foul of the Enemy's ships, should they attempt to enter the harbour. The troops were encamped about half a mile from the works; the well bastion of which was not yet begun, nor the seamen's* quite finished; but, on the appearance of the Enemy, the works were put in a more defensible state; some cannon were mounted, and the little army was in garrison early the next morning. Guard-boats, during the night, watched the motions of the Enemy, who were discovered to have come to an anchor about three or four leagues off, in the narrows of Penobscot. *So called from being the work of the Seamen only.
July 25. At 10 A. M., a brig appeared at some distance from the harbour's mouth, and after reconnoitring the situation of the men of war, stood back into the fleet. At noon, the Enemy's fleet, consisting of thirty-seven sail of ships, brigs, and transports, arrived in the bay of the harbour. The transports proceeded about half a mile up Penobscot river and came to anchor, while the armed ships and brigs, stood off and on, and a boat from each ship repaired on board their flag-ship, which had thrown out a signal for that purpose. At 3 P.M., nine ships, forming into three divisions, stood towards the King's ships, and, as they advanced in the line, hove to and engaged. A very brisk cannonade continued four glasses, when the Enemy bore up, and came to an anchor in the bay without. The King's ships suffered only in their rigging. The fire of the Enemy was random and irregular; and their manoeuvres, as to backing and filling, bespoke confusion, particularly in the first division, which scarcely got from the line of fire when the second began to engage. The second and third divisions appeared to have but one object in view, that of cutting the springs of the men of war, to swing them from the bearings of their broadsides, and thereby to afford an entrance into the harbour. During the cannonade with the shipping, the Enemy made an attempt to land their troops on Bagwaduce, but were repulsed with some loss. On the retreat of the Enemy's troops and ships, the garrison manned their works, and gave three cheers to the men of war, which were returned; and soon after, the general and field officers went down to the beach, and also gave three cheers, which were returned from the ships. Guard-boats, and ship's companies, during the night, lay at their quarters.
July 26. At 10 A. M., the Enemy's ships got under weigh, and, forming their divisions as yesterday, stood in and engaged the King's ships four glasses and a half. The damages sustained this day, also, were chiefly in the rigging at the extreme ends of the ships; and the fire of the Enemy appears again to be directed to the moorings; which attempt not proving successful, they bore up and anchored without. The Enemy again attempted to land their troops, but were driven back with some little loss. At 6 P. M., the Enemy having stationed two brigs of fourteen guns and one sloop of twelve, on the east side of Nautilus island, landed 200 men and dislodging a party of twenty marines, took possession of four 4-pounders (two not mounted) and a small quantity of ammunition. At 9 P. M., it being found that the Enemy were very busy at work, and that they had landed some heavy artillery, which they were getting up to the heights of the island, and against which the men of war could not act in their present station, it was judged expedient to move them further up the river. This was accordingly done, and the line formed as before; the transports moved up at the same time, and anchored with the men of war. Guard-boats, and the ship's companies, as usual, lying at their quarters.
July 27. Pretty quiet all this day. A few shots from some ships of the Enemy were aimed at the small battery on Majabigwaduce point; which were returned with a degree of success, one ship having been driven from her station. Observed the Enemy very busy in erecting their battery on Nautilus island. The garrison being much in want of cannon, some guns from the transports, and from the off-side of the men of war, were landed, and, being dragged by the seamen up to the fort, were disposed of for its use. At 3 P. M., a boat, passing from the Enemy's to Nautilus island, was sunk by a random shot from the fort. At 11 P. M., the guard boats from the King's ships fell in and exchanged a few shot with the Enemy's.
July 28. At 3 A. M., under cover of their ship's fire, the Enemy made good their landing on Majabigwaduce, and, from their great superiority of numbers, obliged the King's troops to retreat to the garrison. The Enemy's right pressed hard, and in force, upon the left of the King's troops, and attempted to cut off a party of men at the small battery; but the judgment and experience of a brave officer (Lieut. Caffrae, of the 82d) counteracted the designs; and a retreat was effected with all the order and regularity necessary on such occasions.An attempt was made to demolish the guns; but the Enemy pushed their force to this ground so rapidly as not to suffer it. The position of this battery afforded their ships a nearer station, on which they immediately seized. At 6 A. M., the Enemy opened their battery of 18 and 12-pounders from Nautilus island, and kept up the whole day a brisk and well-directed fire against the men of war. The King's cannonaded the battery for two glasses, and killed some men at it; but their light metal (6-pounders) was found to be of little service, in comparison to the damage they sustained from such heavy metal brought against them. At 10 A. M., the Warren, of 32 guns, the Commodore's ship, which as yet had not been in action, got under weigh, and, with three more ships, showed an appearance of entering the harbour, but hauled by the wind at a long shot distance. A brisk fire was kept up for half an hour, when the Enemy bore up, and came to anchor again without. The Warren suffered considerably; her mainmast shot through in two places, the gammoning of her bowsprit cut to pieces, and her fore-stay shot away. Their confusion appeared to be great, and very nearly occasioned her getting on shore; so that they were obliged to let go an anchor, and drop into the inlet between Majabigwaduce head and the point, where the ship lay this and the next day, repairing her damages. The battery on the island still keeping up a heavy fire, and the ship's crews being exposed without the least benefit to the service, Captain Mowatt thought proper to move further up the harbour, which was done in the night, and the line formed again; he being firmly resolved to dispute the harbour to the last extremity, as on that entirely depended the safety of the garrison, whose communication with the men of war was of the utmost importance. The dispositions on shore and on the water co-operating, and perfectly supporting each other, foiled the Enemy in their purposes; their troops were yet confined to a spot they could not move from; and, while the harbour was secure, their intention of making approaches, and investing the fort on all sides, could by no means be put in execution. The present station of the men of war being such as rendered it impossible for the Enemy's ships to act but at particular periods, the marines (whose service, in their particular line of duty, was not immediately required on board) were ordered on shore to garrison duty, holding themselves in readiness to embark at a moment's notice, which with ease they could have effected in ten or fifteen minutes. Guard-boats as usual during the night.
July 29. At 6 A. M., the Enemy's ships weighed, and, altering their positions, came to anchor again. The state of the fortress requiring more cannon, some remaining off-side guns were landed from the men of war, and dragged by the seamen up to the fortress, for its use and that of the batteries; and though the task, to be performed up a steep hill, over rocks and innumerable stumps of fallen trees, was laborious, yet their cheerfulness and zeal for the service, surmounted every difficulty. P. M. - The Enemy opened their batteries on the heights of Majabigwaduce, and kept up a warm and incessant fire against the fortress. The commanding ground of the Enemy's works, and the short distance from the fortress, gave them some advantage with their grape, as well as round shot, which considerably damaged the storehouse in the garrison.
Six pieces of cannon at the half-moon battery, near Bank's house, and which belonged to the fortress, being now found necessary for its particular defense, were moved up to it, and replaced with some ship's guns, under the direction of the gunner of the Albany, with a party of seamen. Captain Mowatt having obtained intelligence, that the Enemy, in despair of reducing the King's ships by means of their own, or of getting possession of the harbour, had come to the resolution of joining their whole force in troops, marines, and seamen, to storm the fortress the next morning at daybreak, he judged it expedient to re-inforce the garrison with what seamen could be conveniently spared; and, for this purpose, at the close of the evening, 140 men, under to command of Lieut. Brooke, were sent into garrison: part of these were immediately detached to reinforce the troops on the outline piquets, others manned the facing of their own bastion, while the remainder were busily employed in raising cavaliers in the fort. In all these operations, a brotherly affection appeared to unite the forces, both by sea and land, and to direct their views all to one point, much to their credit, and to the honour and benefit of the service. During the night the Enemy threw a number of shells into the fortress. At 10 P. M., a few shot between the Enemy's guard-boats and those from the King's ships.
July 30. The Enemy's ships preserve their disposition of yesterday. A brisk cannonade the whole day, between the fortress ad the Enemy's batteries on the height; and a number of shells thrown on both sides. The store-houses being apprehended to be in danger, some seamen were ordered to move the provisions out of the fortress into the ditch in its rear; as likewise a quantity at another store-house. Guard-boats as usual.
July 31. At 2 A. M., the seamen and marines of the Enemy's fleet, landed to the westward of the half-moon battery, and, under cover of the night, attacked the piquet, and by heavy platoon firing, obliged them to retreat; but an alert reinforcement of fifty men who, were detached from the garrison, under the command of Lieut. Graham of the 82d regiment, to the support of the piquet, drove the Enemy back with some loss - in killed, wounded and taken, amounting in the whole, according to the best information, to about 100; the loss on the part of the King's forces, amounting to thirteen killed, wounded and missing, fell chiefly on the seamen and marines, who composed the piquet this night. Lieut. Graham unfortunately received a dangerous wound in this action.
August 1. A slack fire on all sides. At 4 P. M., the Enemy's fleet getting under weigh, and the wind and tide serving them to enter the harbour, the embodied seamen were immediately called on board their respective ships; but it afterwards appeared that the Enemy only weighed to form a closer line. Guard-boats as usual.
August 2. At 10 A. M., three of the Enemy's ships weighed, and came to anchor nearer the harbour's mouth. Some cannonading between the fortress and the Enemy's batteries on the height. The outer magazine of the fortress being too much exposed, as lying in front and between the two fires, the marines were charged with the duty of bringing it to the magazine in the fortress, which was performed without any loss. P. M. A flag of truce from the Enemy, to treat for the exchange of a lieutenant of their fleet, taken (wounded) at the half-moon battery, on the 31st ult.; but he had died of his wounds this morning. This day the Enemy posted some marksmen behind trees, within musket shot of the fortress, and killed and wounded some sentinels.
August 3. A slack fire the whole day. Perceived the Enemy busy in erecting a battery to the northward, on the main, above the King's ships. By a deserter from the Enemy's fleet, we learn, the force landed below the half-moon battery was 1000 seamen and marines, joined on their landing by 200 troops; that their intentions were, to storm the fortress in the rear, while the army from the heights made their attack in front; that it was not intended to storm the half-moon battery, but that they had mistaken their road, in endeavoring to get i the rear of the fortress, when they received the first fire of the piquet; which led them to suppose that their design had been discovered, and that they were ambushed. The army also, believing this to be the case, retreated to their ground. At 2 P. M., some seamen were sent to the fortress to assist in working the cannon, and another party for the defense of the Seamen¹s bastion, where a number of swivels from the men of war were planted, loaded with grape shot, as a precaution against any attempt of the Enemy to storm the works. By request of the General, a number of pikes were also brought from the King's ships to the fortress, and put in the hands of the seamen, to prevent the enemy from boarding their bastion. Guard-boats out as usual.
August 4. The Enemy's ships retain their former situation. A smart cannonading between the fortress and the batteries on the heights, and a great number of shells thrown on both sides. Some ship's buckets for the use of the garrison brought on shore, in case the fascines at the well bastion, or store-houses, might be fired by the Enemy's shells. At 9 A. M., the Enemy opened their new battery near Westcoat¹s house, on the main, to the northward of the shipping. A brisk fire was kept up the whole day, and the men of war suffered much in their rigging and hulls; being too far from the battery for the light metal of the ships to produce any effect, their companies were ordered below. P. M. Some skirmishing between the piquets, and trifling losses on both sides; on the Enemy's some Indians were killed. During the day, several accidents happened by cannon shot in the fort: among others, the boatswain of the Nautilus was wounded by grape, and a seaman belonging to the North killed by an 18-pounder, at the guns they were stationed at in the fortress.
August 5. Cannonading the greatest part of the day between the fortress and the Enemy's batteries on the height, and from the north battery against the men of war, damaging their hulls and rigging. A. M. The remaining off-side guns from His Majesty¹s sloop north brought on shore, and mounted in the cavalier in the fortress. P. M. The garrison, being much in want of wads and match, was supplied from the men of war, as also with some six-pound shot, together with a quantity of twelve-pound shot, in which it is deficient. The north battery on the main having the command of the opposite shore on the peninsula of Majabagwaduce, where the Enemy, under its protections, might make lodgments in their approaches towards the heights opposite the men of war and within shot of the fortress, and might thereby destroy communication between them and the garrison; Captain Mowat judged it necessary to erect a work in order to preserve this communication; a square redoubt was therefore marked out, to be manned with fifty seamen, and to mount eight ship's guns en barbette. Guard-boards as usual during the night.
August 6. Slack fire between the fortress and batteries on the heights; and a few shot from the north battery against the men of war, cutting their rigging, dismounting a six-pounder on board the North. At 4 A. M., seventy seamen from the different ships, under the direction of Lieut. Brooke, of the North, sent on shore to raise the Seamen's redoubt on the height. P. M. A quantity of musquet cartridges) of which the garrison was in want) brought on shore from the men of war. Guard-boats as usual. At 11, a few shot exchanged between the Guard-boats.
August 7. The Enemy's ships preserve their positions. At 9 A. M., three of their brigs got under weigh, and stood down the bay, supposed to be on the look out. Some skirmishing between the piquets, with loss to the Enemy. Lieut. McNeil, of the 82d, and one private, wounded. Slack fire between the batteries and the fortress, and the north battery perfectly silent. At 4 P. M., discovered a boat crossing the southeast bay to Hainey¹s plantation, where the Enemy kept a piquet. Lieut. Congalton, of the Nautilus, chaces with the boats from the men of war, and took her; but her crew, with those of a whale boat, and a gondola for transporting cannon, got safe on shore, and joined the piquet. Capt. Farnham, of the Nautilus, with Lieut. Brooke and fifty seamen, joined by a party of soldiers from the garrison, landed and scoured the woods; the Enemy fled immediately, and so effectually concealed themselves as not to be discovered; some had left their arms, ammunition and blankets, which were taken and brought on board. Guard-boats as usual during the night. By a deserter from the Enemy we learn that General Lovell had sent out small parties from his army round the country, and brought in a great number of loyal inhabitants, who were sent on board their fleet, and thrust down the holds, heavily laden with irons, both on the hands and feet; their milch cows, and other stock, killed for the Enemy's use; all their moveables destroyed or plundered, and their wives and children left destitute of every support of life.
August 8. A constant cannonade the whole day between the fortress and the Enemy's battery on the heights; and from the north battery against the men of war, but returned only with a musquet. At 10 A. M., the Enemy brought a field-piece to play from the main on the seamen working at the redoubt; but the facing towards the Enemy being the first raised, for the purpose of covering the party, it was impossible to dislodge them; and a covering party daily attending from the garrison, prevented a nearer approach on any other ground. This evening the redoubt was finished, and, to the credit of the seamen, met with the approbation of the General and Engineers. Guard-boats as usual during the night.
August 9. Cannonading as usual. At 9 A. M., a new battery on the left of the Enemy's lines, was opened against the fortress, and its chief fire, as well as the shells, directed against the north west bastion, raised with fascines only. P. M. - Discovered the Enemy had moved their piquet from Hainey¹s plantation and given up their design of carrying on a work for two 18-pounders against the men of war. Guard-boats as usual during the night.
August 10. The Enemy's ships in their former position. A slack fire on all sides; and nothing material.
August 11. A smart cannonading from all the batteries, and some shot from the north battery well directed at the men of war.
August 12. Slack fire on all sides, and no material operations the whole day; but at 9 P. M., a large body of seamen and marines, from the Enemy's fleet, landed below Banks' house to the westward, and setting fire to some barns, houses, and a quantity of lumber, boards, &c., on the beach, retreated to their ships again.
August 13. Some skirmishing at daybreak, between the piquets, but no material loss on either side. At 1 P. M., came in some deserters from the Enemy's ships, who say, the boat chaced on shore at Hainey¹s plantation had in her the Commodore and some officers of their fleet, who, having escaped, returned to their ships, after lying two days and a night in the woods; that one of the officers (Capt. Ross of the Monmouth) had broke his leg in the woods; and that they were much disconcerted at the loss of the gondola, which was intended to carry over some 18-pounders to the battery on the plantation. Captain Mowat also (by his usual diligence) obtained information, that a degree of Mutiny prevailed in the Enemy's fleet against their Commodore, who, notwithstanding the resolves of several councils of war, and the urgent solicitations of the General to make another attempt on the King's ships had hitherto declined it through fear of losing some ships; but that, in consequence of another council held this morning on board the Warren, it was determined to force the harbour next tide, and take or destroy the men of war; that five ships were destined for this service, one of which was the Warren; but that the Putnam, of twenty guns, was to lead; and that each ship was doubly manned with picked men. This information was confirmed at noon by five of their fleet getting under weigh, and coming to an anchor in a line, the Putnam being the headmost ship. The marines were now called on board their respective ships, the barricades strengthened, guns double-shotted, and every disposition made for the most vigorous defense. The St. Helena transport had been brought into the line, and fitted out with what guns could be procured, and the crews of the transports (now scuttled and laid on shore, to prevent them from falling into the Enemy's Hands) turned on board to fight her, and the General had also advanced five pieces of cannon, under cover of an epaulement, to salute them as they came in. But at 5 P. M., the appearance of some strange sails in the offing, disconcerted the Enemy's plan; and the five ships getting under weigh again, stood off and on the whole night. Guard-boats watching the motions of the Enemy's fleet; and the ship's companies standing at their quarters until daylight. This night had been fixed upon to storm the north battery, with sixty seamen, under the command of Lieut. Brooke, supported by Lieut. Caffrae, of the 82d, with fifty soldiers; but the Enemy's operations, and the appearance of the strange fleet, prevented the execution of it.
August 14. At daybreak this morning it was discovered that the Enemy had during the night, moved off their cannon, and quitting the heights of Majabigwaduce, silently embarked in small vessels. At 4 A. M., after firing a shot or two, they also evacuated Nautilus Island; and leaving their cannon spiked and dismounted, got on board a brig lying to receive them, and made sail with the transports up the Penobscot river. The whole fleet got under weigh, and upon one of the brigs heaving in sight, off the harbour¹s mouth, with various signals aboard, they bore up with all sail after the transports. There remaining now no doubt but that the strange fleet was the relief expected, the off-side guns of the Albany, North, and Nautilus, were got down from the fortress, and being taken on board, the three ships slipped their stern moorings, hove up their bower anchors, and working out of the harbour, joined in about the centre of the King's fleet, in pursuit of the flying Enemy, who were now crowding with every sail they could set. The Hunter, and Hampden, two of the Enemy's ships, of twenty guns each, attempted to escape through the passage of Long Island, but were cut off and taken; the former ran in shore, all standing, and was instantly deserted by her crew, who got safe on shore; and the Raisonable, Sir George Collier, being the sternmost ship in the fleet, took possession, and got her off, and came to anchor near her. The rest of His Majesty¹s ships continued in chace of the Enemy, until it grew so dark, as to render the narrow navigation exceedingly dangerous; and then were obliged to anchor for the night, while the Enemy, having good pilots, ran some miles further up the river. The Defiance brig, of fourteen guns, ran into an inlet, where she could not be pursued, and was set on fire by her crew. During the night the Enemy set fire to several ships and brigs,which blew up with vast explosions. In short, the harmony and good understanding that subsisted amongst the forces by sea, and by land, enabled them to effect almost prodigies, for so ardently did they vie with each other in the general service, that it may be truly said, not a single Officer, Sailor, or Soldier, was once seen to shrink from his duty, difficult and hazardous as it was. The flying scout of fifty men, commanded by Lieut. Caffrae, of the 82d, in particular, distinguished themselves to admiration, marching frequently almost round the peninsula, both by day and by night, and with drum and fife playing the tune called Yankee, which greatly dispirited the Enemy, and prevented their small parties from galling our men at their works. In one instance, they even drove back to their encampment, 300 of the Enemy, who had been sent to storm an out-work. The Manoeuvres of the Three Sloops of War, under the direction of Captain Mowat, were, moreover, such as enabled the King's forces to hold out a close siege of twenty-one days, against a fleet and army, of more than six times their number, and strength; insomuch that, on the first appearance of the reinforcement from New York, in the offing, the Enemy debarked their troops, and sailed with their whole fleet up the Penobscot river, where they burnt their shipping, and from thence marched to their respective homes; and the loyal inhabitants, who were taken in the time of the siege, and were cruelly treated on board their ships, had their irons taken off, and were set at liberty.*
Thus did this little Garrison, with Three Sloops of War, by the unwearied exertions of Soldiers, and Seamen, whose bravery cannot be too much extolled, under the judicious conduct of Officers, whose zeal is hardly to be paralleled, succeed in an enterprise of great importance, against difficulties apparently insurmountable, under circumstances exceedingly critical, and in a manner strongly expressive of their faithful and spirited attachment to the interests of their King and Country.
* To give them a cool airing, as the Enemy called it, once a day the irons were knocked off their feet, and they were put into a boat alongside the ship, where they remained about an hour, and had the filth of the ship poured upon their heads.
A List of the Enemy's Ships, &c., taken and destroyed in Penobscot River.
Names Commander Guns No. of Men Metal
Ships
Warren Saltonstall 32 250 18 and 12 Burnt
Sally Holmes 22 200 9 and 6 Burnt
Putnam Waters 20 130 9 Burnt
Hector Cairns 20 130 9 Burnt
Revenge Hallett 20 120 6 Burnt
Monmouth Ross 20 100 6 Burnt
Hampden Salter 20 130 9 and 6 Taken
Hunter Brown 20 130 6 Taken
Vengeance Thomas 18 140 9 and 6 Burnt
Black Prince West 18 100 6 Burnt
Sky Rocket Burke 16 120 6 Burnt
Brigs
Hazard Williams 18 100 6 Burnt
Active 16 100 6 Burnt
Tyrannicide Cathcart 14 90 6 Burnt
Defiance 14 90 6 Burnt
Diligence Brown 14 90 4 Burnt
Pallas Johnstone 14 80 4 Burnt
Sloop
Providence Hacker 12 50 6 Burnt
_________________________________________________________________
1 - Killed, wounded and taken on the Enemy's side 474
Killed, wounded and missing of His Majesty's Sea and Land Forces 70
2 - With 9 Sail of Transport vessels Taken
With 10 Sail of Transport and Ordnance vessels Burnt
_____
Total 37
Return to Penobscot's home page