King George

Posted by Peter Lake on Saturday 9th of June 2012 15:29

Boston, March 31. Last Thursday morning arrived here Capt. Dorrington, from Halifax, in eight days. We learn that a number of Frenchmen had lately come into Fort Cumberland at Chignecto, and surrendered themselves: They gave an account, that they belonged to a large French Ship of 20 guns, bound up the river St. Lawrence; but being catched in ice at Gaspee; and frozen up, they left her there, and travelled over land to Chignecto. We hear that Commandore Lord Colvill had ordered two of his Majesty's frigates to sail immediately to take possession of her.
The following information was given to Joseph Frye, Esq; of Fort Cumberland, by Cockswain of the barge of a French frigate now at Gaspee, from wence he deserted, viz. That she is a frigate buit ship, of between 400 and 600 tons burden, formerly English, and called King George, but now the Two Brothers, commanded by M. Bushee, pierced for 26, but mounts only 22 nine pounders, manned (when sailed from Bourdeaux) with 64 men, 25 only of whom are French, the rest composed of dissafected Spaniards, Italians, &c. who are ready to revolt upon the first occasion by reason of their ill treatment from the (Hole) (Crease damaged section) The crew have deserted since (hole) His cargo consists of provision (hole) amunition, wine, brandy, blankets, &c. and (hole) rigged, and hauled up into the creek, for the winter, no knowing (when she sailed from Bourdeaux) of the surrender of Quebec: That the Captain is in great expectation of the retaking of the city, in which case he intends to land his cargo there according to his first orders; but if not, he intends to push out as early in the spring as possible, either for the West Indies or Europe.

Extracted from "General Evening Post - London" 1760