In the summer of 1781 he was liberated; found his way home to Rhode Island; and died “with his boots on” in New York, June 30th, 1813. The old sea-dogs of his native state still cherish the memory of “Capting Si;” singing a little song, which runs:
“He could take ’er brig or sloop, my boy,
An’ fight her like ’er man.
He could steer ’er barque or barquentine,
An’ make her act jest gran!
‘Ole Si’ wuz ’er rip-dazzler,
His flag wuz never struck,
Until ’er British squadroon,
Jest catched him in th’ ruck.
“So drink ’er drop ter ‘Ole Si,’ Sky-high, Oh my!
Drink ’er glass ter ‘Ole Si,’ th’ skipper from our kentry.
Give three cheers fer ‘Ole Si,’ Sky-high, Oh my!
Give three cheers fer ‘Ole Si,’ th’ pride o’ Newport’s gentry.”
FOOTNOTE:
[1] A true incident vouched for by two historians.
From “The Army and Navy of the United States.”
AMERICAN PRIVATEER CAPTURING TWO ENGLISH SHIPS.