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The Newport Gazette
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
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Captain Jones of HMS Beaver captured the rebel privateer Oliver Cromwell near St. Lucia on June 15, 1777, after a close engagement lasting less than three quarters of an hour. The privateer, a capital ship with 24 guns and 150 men under Commander Herman Courtey, suffered 20 killed and 20 wounded; Beaver had 3 wounded and minimal damage.
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The following is an extract of a letter from Captain Jones, of his Majesty's Sloop the Beaver, on 14 six-pounders and 125 men, to Mr. Stephens; dated at St. Kitts, the 12th of June, 1777.
"I beg you will be pleased to acquaint their Lordships, that on the 15th inst. near the island of St. Lucia, and then going to Tobago for the homeward-bound trade, I fell in with and engaged a privateer of the Rebels, and that in less than three quarters of an hour, under a very close fire, she yielded to the superior valour and good order of my officers and men.
She proved to be their capital ship in these seas, and the second best fitted out for America, carries 24 guns, of which 14 are nine pounders, 10 swivels, 10 cohorns, and 150 men; has ports to all her guns, and fights her men under cover, and is named the Oliver Cromwell, Herman Courtey, Commander.
We had the good fortune not to lose a man, and had only three wounded, with little or no damage to the rigging, &c.
On the Rebels' side twenty men were killed, and twenty wounded; her rigging, masts and sails, much cut and hurt."
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Near The Island Of St. Lucia
Event Date
15th Inst.
Key Persons
Outcome
beaver: no deaths, three wounded, little or no damage to rigging. rebels: twenty men killed, twenty wounded; rigging, masts and sails much cut and hurt. privateer captured.
Event Details
Captain Jones of HMS Beaver engaged and captured the rebel privateer Oliver Cromwell near St. Lucia while en route to Tobago. Engagement lasted less than three quarters of an hour under close fire. Privateer: 24 guns (14 nine-pounders), 10 swivels, 10 cohorns, 150 men, capital ship in these seas, second best fitted for America.