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The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
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The brig Sampson arrived in New York from Bristol on Monday afternoon. Ignoring signals from HMS Winchester, its crew fired on a boarding boat, killing four British sailors. The captain and mate were arrested and bailed; the crew dispersed.
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On Monday Afternoon arrived here, in 6 Weeks and 3 Days from Bristol, the Sampson, Capt. Greatrakes, of 22 Guns and 67 Men. As she came up, his Majesty's Ship Winchester, Capt. Hale, lying in the Bay, gave a Signal for her to bring to, and sent a Boat with an Officer and 13 Men to go on board her: but the Ship kept on her Way, without any Regard to the Signal, when the Man of War fired at her, and continued to fire successively several Shot, one of which struck her just below the fore Chains, and went thro' her; but none of her People received any Hurt. Mean Time the Man of War's Boat, being a-head of the Sampson, and at some Distance on one Side hailed her, and advanced to board, but the Sampson's Men, having confined the Capt. and Mate, fired a Volley of small Arms into the Boat, when the Officer desired them to desist, as did his Men, but to no Purpose, for they fired a second Time, killed three outright, and a fourth so wounded he died soon after: The Magistrates of this City, having received Information of this Affair, immediately issued Warrants to apprehend the People belonging to the Sampson, and when she was haul'd in to the Dock, the Sheriffs and Constables, who were upon the Watch, in Order to execute the Warrants in the most effectual and peaceable manner, staid till the Captain and Mate came on shore, and then took them into Custody; but the rest of the Men on board arming with Cutlasses and fire Arms, would not suffer themselves to be taken, nor any Person to come on board. This Resistance being noticed to Capt. Hale, he weighed Anchor, and brought the Winchester into the Harbour along Side the Sampson, whose People, on the appearance of the Man of War got into such Boats as they could find, and dispersed different Ways, some to Long Island, and some up the River, leaving none on board but one or two Men, and two or three Boys, who are supposed to have had no concern in this tragical Affair. After Examination of Witnesses the Captain and Mate were admitted to Bail.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
New York
Event Date
Monday Afternoon, August 25
Key Persons
Outcome
three men killed outright in the boat, a fourth wounded and died soon after; no injuries on sampson. captain and mate admitted to bail after examination.
Event Details
The Sampson, Capt. Greatrakes, arrived in 6 Weeks and 3 Days from Bristol, with 22 Guns and 67 Men. HMS Winchester, Capt. Hale, signaled her to stop and sent a boat with an Officer and 13 Men. Sampson ignored the signal; Winchester fired shots, one striking Sampson below the fore Chains. The boarding boat was fired upon twice by Sampson's crew, who had confined the Capt. and Mate, killing three and mortally wounding one. Magistrates issued warrants; Sheriffs took Capt. and Mate into custody upon landing. Crew resisted with arms, preventing boarding. Capt. Hale brought Winchester alongside; crew fled in boats to Long Island and up the River, leaving few behind.