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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
The Raleigh frigate, commanded by Captain John Barry, engaged enemy ships after sailing from Boston on September 25. After a fierce battle, the ship was run aground to avoid capture and later taken by the enemy.
Merged-components note: These two components form a single coherent news report on the loss of the Raleigh frigate, continuing directly across pages; relabeled from 'story' to 'domestic_news' as it is a factual report on a national naval event.
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Full Text
This will inform you of the loss of the Raleigh frigate, commanded by John Barry, Esquire.
She sailed on Friday the 25th of September, and in a few hours after discovered two of the enemy's ships, one of 50 or 60 guns, and the other a frigate, which Captain Barry endeavoured to avoid, and once supposed himself clear of them; but the next day was pursued by the same or two other ships.
The frigate after some time, being a copper bottom, and going very fast, came up, and an engagement ensued between the two frigates, which lasted several hours, in which the Raleigh, though she lost her fore-top-mast had the advantage, and would have taken the frigate, had not the large ship come up, when Captain Barry and his crew, after supporting an unequal conflict with the two ships with great gallantry for half an hour, run the Raleigh on shore, so that though he has lost his ship, he has gained laurels to himself, and honour to his country; perhaps no ship was ever better defended. Captain Barry had made preparations to burn the ship as soon as the sick and wounded could be landed, but by some misfortune that was not executed; the enemy took her off the next day. We shall add no more, but that Captain Barry's conduct is highly approved here, and that his officers and men are greatly pleased with him."
Published by order of the Marine Committee,
JOHN BROWN, Secretary.
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Boston
Event Date
Friday The 25th Of September
Key Persons
Outcome
ship run aground and lost; sick and wounded landed; enemy took the ship the next day; no specific casualty numbers
Event Details
Raleigh frigate sailed September 25, encountered enemy ships, engaged in battle lasting hours, lost fore-top-mast but gained advantage over enemy frigate until larger ship joined; after half-hour unequal fight, run aground; preparations to burn not executed.