British Privateer 'Sparling' (1777)

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Sparling

12329
Nominal Guns14HLP
NationalityGreat Britain
OperatorPrivate Owners
Acquired1777HLP
Home PortLiverpool - Lancashire HLP
ShipyardUnknownHLP
CategoryPrivateerHLP
Ship TypeUnknownHLP
Last known1777HLP

Dimensions


DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentHLP
Burthen300Tons BM 

Armament


1777Broadside Weight = 40 Imperial Pound ( 18.1402 kg)HLP
Gun Deck10 British 6-Pounder
Gun Deck4 British 4-Pounder
Gun Deck8 British 1/2-Pound Swivel

1 Ship Commander


DatesRankNameSource
1777Master
Edward ForbesBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1757-1777
HLP

Service History


DateEventSource
1778Took prize the Isaac, which was recaptured by a privateerHLP


Notes on Ship


Letter from Captain Edward Forbes, Kingston, Jamaica, on July 23rd, 1777HLP
I arrived here safe, after a passage of six weeks. In crossing- the Bay, I saw several ships, but passed none without bringing them to, boarding and examining them. Off the Western Islands saw a brig privateer, who, on my giving chase, thought proper to alter his course and make the best of his way. I saw nothing more until I was within fifteen leagues of this island, where I was attacked by a large privateer sloop of 12 guns, a number of swivels, blunderbusses, and full of men. They attacked me at four o'clock in the afternoon, with a great deal of vigour, for an hour and-a-half, and then sheered off. I attempted to give chace, but soon found she could sail two feet for my one. She then got her graplins out for boarding when dark, and attempted it three times, but perceiving his intentions, disappointed him, and threw him off his guard, by which means I got our guns to bear, which made him sheer off to refit; this I was not sorry for, as it gave us an opportunity to do the same, for our braces and running rigging were often shot away. The engagement lasted six hours. Getting all my guns to bear, in less than a quarter of an hour I lost sight of him. The ship is a good deal damaged in her rigging, sails, and hull, but no lives lost, which is owing to the good shelter we had on deck, as she constantly fired small arms. I found the sloop' had great advantage over us, we being square rigged, she always kept on my quarters. The Sparling's sides are hard, but the yankies found means to shew daylight through her in several places, but hope to repair her at a small expence. There is three feet of the starboard quarter entirely knocked out, and some shot in the bends. My men behaved during the action with the greatest courage, and very attentive to command

Sources


IDNameAuthorType
HLPHistory of Liverpool PrivateersGomer Williams, Digital Book
 
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