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Great Britain | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| British ship | |||
| Ship Name | Commander | Notes | |
| Name : Swallow (14)
1779-1781 British 14 Gun Unrated Sloop | Thomas WellsBritish Naval Sailor Service 1780-1810 | Sunk | |
United States of America | |||
| American privateers | |||
| Ship Name | Commander | Notes | |
| Name : Hancock (18)
1781-1782 American 18 Gun Privateer Brig | Peter RichardsAmerican Naval Sailor | ||
| Name : Sampson (18)
1781-1782 American 18 Gun Privateer Brig | David BrooksAmerican Naval Sailor | ||
| Name : Randolph (16)
1781-1781 American 16 Gun Privateer Sloop | Augustus PeckAmerican Naval Sailor | ||
| Name : Young Cromwell (16)
1779-1781 American 16 Gun Privateer Schooner | William ReedAmerican Naval Sailor | ||
On 15 August 17817 Swallow was nearing the entrance to New York Harbor, being about thirty-six miles from Sandy Hook, New Jersey. She had with her the brig Venus, a prize recaptured during her voyage. Some of Wells’s crew would have been aboard the Venus, perhaps ten or so, as her prize crew. Four American privateers appeared from the haze and began chasing Swallow. These got between Swallow and the land, cutting her off from the shore. Wells ran north, not liking the odds of four to one too much.
The Americans had been cruising about the waters off the entrance to New York for some time, interrupting British trade and taking prizes. Sampson had had a previous fight with Swallow. The action that resulted was more of a long range chase.
As Wells ran north he passed by New York. The shore of Long Island lay ahead, which was friendly territory for the British. At the entrance to the Great South Bay, at the end of Fire Island, Wells ran the Swallow ashore. Venus also went ashore. Both were under continual fire from the four privateers. The vessels were evacuated and the British escaped ashore. Although the Americans tried to get the two brigs afloat they could not. Both were burned by the Americans on 16 August.