George Wait Babcock

George Wait Babcock (b. Exeter, Rhode Island. January 25, 1751- d. Hopewell, Ontario, New York, United States 18 Mar 1816) was one of the most successful American privateers of the American Revolution, capturing 28 British vessels on the Marlborough.[1][2] He also led the land forces in the Raid on Lunenburg (1782) during the American Revolution.[3][4][5]

Career

Babcock was commissioned to the Rhode Island Privateer Ship Marlborough on 11 December 1777. Babcock made an extended cruise on the African coast, capturing or destroying twenty-eight vessels and destroying the British trading station on the Îles de Los. Upon returning to Boston Babcock fell in with the British vessel Hope, under the command of Joseph Browne. The fight lasted for two hour and Babcock destroyed the mast, rigging and sails of the Hope. The Hero also lost one and two were wounded including the captain. Despite the damage, the Hope was able to escape to halifax and arrived on 26 September 1778.

On 18 January 1779, Babcock ransacked the brigantine Lord Clark (actually the Lord Clare) and the brig Nautilus under the command of Hawson.

In March 1779, Babcock was commissioned to the Massachusetts Privateer Ship General Mifflin (20 guns, 100). Babcock fell in with The Tartar (26 guns, 160 men). Babcock killed the captain of the Tartar and twenty-two men, while the Babcock only lost two men. Mifflin had taken two other prizes a store ship named The Elephant and the Brig Betsey.[6] He had captured about 200 prisoners, which he traded for Americans taken prisoner by the British.

On 7 September 1779 Babcock fell in with a sloop of war and fought her for 1.5 hours. The Americans had three killed and seven wounded and were much shot up in the masts and rigging and so bore away.[7]

On 11 June 1781, Babcock took command of the Ship Venus (16 guns, 83 men)[8] Babcock and crew were captured on 16 July 1781 by frigate HMS Danae (Captain Thomas Lloyd) and Surprize (Captain Samuel Reeve) off of Cape Race, Newfoundland.[9] Babcock and the Venus were taken into Halifax where Venus was condemned. Babcock was exchanged, arriving in Boston in a prisoner cartel on 13 August 1781, with most of his crew. Babcock and the other prisoners on the cartel reported that they were

" . . . used with uncommon humanity and kindness, not only when on board, but also on their arrival at Halifax, both by the Captain and the Governor [Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, aboard the Danae] and they take this method of publicly testifying their gratitude to those gentlemen for the same."[10]

Babcock’s final command was of the Schooner Hero (9 guns, 25 men), commissioned 28 May 1781.[11] While on the Hero, Babcock was involved in gathering intelligence at Chester, Nova Scotia, and the following day, he led the land forces in the Raid on Lunenburg.[12]

References

  1. ↑ p. 80
  2. ↑ p. 116
  3. ↑ p. 335
  4. ↑ p. 149
  5. ↑ Babcock's bio
  6. ↑ Allen, MPR, 220
  7. ↑ [Allen, MPR, 149]
  8. ↑ [NRAR, 486]
  9. ↑ Allen, MPR, 316
  10. ↑ The Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser [Boston], Thursday, August 16, 1781
  11. ↑ [NRAR, 335]
  12. ↑ p. 175
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