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The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
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The British privateer Terrible, commanded by Capt. William Death, was captured by a larger French privateer after a fierce sea battle. The Terrible had a prize under convoy. Heavy casualties on both sides; both ships badly damaged but reached port.
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That the prize which they had under convoy, had been in their possession five days, and according to their instructions from their owners, were bringing her into port. When they fell in with the French privateer, which had a hundred men more than them, and carried 26 nine pounders on her main deck. The French privateer went so much better than the Terrible, that he sailed round them as he pleased, notwithstanding which, the conduct of the Captain, and the courage of the men, the greatest part of whom never saw salt water before, the ship was fought till every officer, except the surgeon's mate, and carpenter, were killed, and only Ten men left unhurt, and 7 who had lost limbs. Both the ships were so much damaged, that it was with the greatest difficulty they were got into port. The French are said to have lost all their officers but one, and a hundred men, besides a great number wounded.
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on the terrible: every officer except the surgeon's mate and carpenter killed, only 10 men left unhurt, and 7 who had lost limbs. on the french privateer: all officers but one lost, 100 men killed, great number wounded. both ships severely damaged but got into port.
Event Details
The Terrible privateer, fitted out at Execution Dock and commanded by Capt. William Death, had a prize under convoy for five days and was bringing it into port when encountered by a superior French privateer with 100 more men and 26 nine-pounders. Despite the French ship's superior speed and armament, the Terrible fought until nearly all officers were killed and most crew wounded or dead, showcasing the captain's conduct and crew's courage, many of whom were inexperienced seamen.