Come and ask, answer or inform.
United States of America | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ship Name | Commander | Notes | |
| Name : American Tartar (24)
1776-1777 American 24 Gun Privateer Frigate | John GrimesAmerican Naval Sailor | ||
Great Britain | |||
| Ship Name | Commander | Notes | |
| Name : | J. MaddockBritish Privateer Merchant Sailor Service 1777-1779 | 3 wounded | |
At 1700 on 12 July, at 56°N, 26°W 19 (or 50°N, 20°W),20 the American Tartar fell in with the ship Pole [Maddock]. Pole had sailed from New York on 26 June bound for Liverpool, England with passengers. Pole was armed with sixteen 6-pounders and had forty men aboard, including the passengers.
Grimes bore down on the Pole with English colors flying from American Tartar’s yards. He ran up alongside the Pole and hailed Maddock, asking from where Pole had come and whether she was a "King’s ship". When Maddock answered in the affirmative, Grimes gave orders to hoist the thirteen stripes and fire away. A heavy engagement began which continued until 2020. The action was fought at close quarters, within hailing distance. The British fought hard and well, clearing the American Tartar’s forecastle deck three times. The cries of wounded men could be heard on the Pole. Finally Grimes sheered off and left the Pole. The British reported two mates and a passenger wounded when Pole made Liverpool on 20 July.