“As the ingenuity of these people is singular in their secret modes of mischief, and as I presume this is their first essay, I have thought it indispensably my duty to return and give you the earliest information of the circumstances, to prevent the like fatal accident happening to any of the advanced ships that may possibly be swiftered in the same manner, and to forbid all seamen from attempting hauling the line, or bringing the vessel near the ship, as it is filled with that kind of combustible that burns though in the water.
“I am, sir, etc.,
“J. Symons.”
David Bushnell was born in Saybrook (now Westbrook), Connecticut, in the year 1742. He entered Yale College in 1771, and graduated in 1775. During his collegiate career he turned his attention to submarine warfare, and after leaving college devoted his time and patrimony entirely to the subject. He was noted for his studious habits, great inventive genius, and eccentricity. The unfortunate issue of his projects rendered him very dejected. Disappointed by his failures and the neglect of the government, he went to France at the close of the war, where he remained for a number of years, when he returned and settled in Georgia, under the assumed name of Dr. Bush, desiring thus to conceal his identity and connection with the early efforts of his life. There he was placed at the head of one of the most respectable schools in the State, but subsequently engaged in the practice of medicine, by which he amassed a considerable fortune. He was much beloved and respected by all who knew him, and died at the age of ninety years, in the year 1826. By his will his proper name became known; his executors were required to make inquiries in the town of Saybrook for persons of the blood and family of Bushnell, and whoever in the opinion of the executors was found to be most worthy, on the score of moral worth, should be regarded as the sole legatee. But should none of the kindred be found to fulfil the condition set forth in the will, the estate was to be transferred to Franklin College, Georgia. Legatees were found in Connecticut.
Signatures of John Manly and Hector McNeil.
The loss of the American frigate Hancock of thirty-two guns followed the capture of the two valuable transports off New York. It was in May that the Hancock, under Capt. John Manly (he who in the Massachusetts schooner Lee worked such havoc on the British store-ships off Boston in 1775), sailed from Boston on a cruise, having in company the Boston of twenty-four guns under Capt. Hector McNeil. When four days out they overhauled a strange sail, and Captain Manly, after a bit of veering to and fro to determine the enemy’s speed and power, gave him a broadside. At this the stranger tried to run for it, and with stern chasers strove to disable the Hancock’s rigging. But the Hancock was then one of the swiftest American ships, and Captain Manly held his fire until alongside, when he gave him a broadside.
Although manifestly of inferior strength, the enemy fought back bravely for an hour, and then, the Boston having arrived within range, he struck his colors. It proved to be the frigate Fox of twenty-eight guns, Captain Fotheringham. The Hancock lost eight in killed and wounded, and the Fox thirty-two.
Having placed a prize crew on the Fox, Captain Manly made the mistake of sailing too close to Halifax, the principal British naval station in America. Here, on June 1st, he fell in with three British ships, the Rainbow of forty-four guns, commanded by Sir George Collier; the frigate Flora of thirty-two guns, and the sloop-of-war Victor of eighteen guns.
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