Snake

Posted by Michael Contratto on Tuesday 12th of January 2021 20:41

I have caused Two Ships to be purchased; in every respect fitt to be made Sloops of war One is the French Ship taken by the Seaford} which on a strict examination and Survey is reported capable of carrying Sixteen Six pound Guns; if those can be procured; I have got Ten of that kind, by taking Eight from the Sylph Sloop coming to England with the present Convoy) which I replaced by the same Number of four Pounders. this Ship being of such considerable force I have thought proper to give her the Complement of the 16 Gun Sloops, Viz 125 Men; and the 10th May last I appointed Mr William Young 1st Lieutenant of the Portland to the Command: and have named her the Snake.

ADM1/309 12 jun 1777 Adm Young to Adm

Posted by Bob Brooks on Saturday 17th of August 2013 16:26

The Snake at Savannah, Georgia, during the siege was the half-galley Snake, manned by a petty-officer and 24 seamen from HMS Fowey. (see: ADM 1/1905/14. The redacted letter is in The London Gazette, 18-21 Dec 1779, pp. 1-3)

Posted by Bob Brooks on Saturday 17th of August 2013 16:19

BWAS-1714, pp. 289 & 316, greatly confuses two Sloops named Snake and their commanders. The best information I have is the reconstructed paybook (ADM 34/725) for this vessel covering 29 Mar 1781 to 16 July 1781, the ending date being the date of the court-martial for the loss of the ship (ADM 1/5318) which was taken 13 June 1781 by American privateers Pilgrim & Rambler.
William Young (ADM 6/21, p. 454 [10 May 1777]) & Billy Douglas (ADM 6/21, p.456 [18 July 1778]) both commanded the Snake, Sloop, commissioned in the Leeward Islands on 10 May 1777.