“Dec. 25. Commences with light breezes and pleasant weather. At 2 P. M. took in the staysails and jib. At 3 all hands to quarters; exercise the guns. At 4 let two reefs out of the topsails. At half past four hands aft while the carpenter repaired the copper on the cutwater.”
“Jan. 18th. At 1 P. M. coming up with our chase very fast found him to be a schooner. At 4 P. M. gave him a gun, and he hove to and hoisted English colors. Boarded him and found him to be the English schooner Martha, Wm. Williams, master, from Waterford, bound for Cadiz. Cargo dry goods, butter, bacon, Beef, etc. Put on board Wm. C. Hooper as prize master, with six men and ordered her for America. Took Mr. Wilson, mate, and three men. Left no one on board of her except the captain. Sent on board schooner 150 pounds bread, 10 do. chocolate, 4 gallons rum, 110 gallons water. Received from her five firkins butter. At 6 P. M. parted from her. At 10 hauled up the mainsail.”
In a way, this capturing small merchant vessels, the loss of which spelled beggary for their masters, seemed a cruel and unnecessary part of war between nations. It had its stern use however, in crippling England’s commercial strength, and in employing her navy to protect her trading fleets. The America swooped among these deep-laden craft like a hawk in a dove cote, snatching them from convoys, or picking them up in the English Channel almost within sight of their own shores. Her logs are filled with such entries as these:
“Jan. 23. He proved to be the British ship Diana, George W. Carlton, master, from London bound for Madeira, cargo, deals. From 2 to 6 P. M. boats employed in taking our articles from the ship as the captain contemplated burning her. During the afternoon received on board all the Diana’s company consisting of 15 in number and one passenger, likewise a quantity of duck, rigging, etc. At 3 P. M. after taking all necessary things out of the Diana, set fire to her.”
“Jan. 26th. At 2 P. M. saw a sail bearing N.N.W.; called all hands to make sail in chase. At 3 sent up Royal masts and yards; and set all necessary sail. At 8 came up with the chase; it proved to be the British brig Sovereign from Cork bound for Liverpool, John Brown commander. Took on board the prisoners and put on board Mr. Hall, prize master with six men and ordered her to America. Her cargo consisted of coals, crates, butter, etc.”
“Jan. 27th. A number of our men on board the Sovereign fitting a new foremast and doing other necessary work. At 4 P. M. saw a sail on the lee bow. Made a signal for our boats and all hands to repair on board. Instantly got in the boats and made all necessary sail in chase. At 5 nearing the chase very fast. At half past 9 lighted our side lanterns and called all hands to quarters. At 10 within gunshot of him; Fired and brought him to. Got out the gig and brought the captain on board with his papers. She proved to be the British ship Falcon, Atkinson, master, from Liverpool via Lisbon, bound to the Canaries, with a very valuable cargo of merchandise. At 11 took on board the prisoners. Put on board Mr. Cleaves as prize master with 12 hands.”
“Jan. 28. At 8 A. M. saw a sail in the lee bow. A signal was made for the boat and all hands to repair on board. Made sail in chase. At 4 P. M. discovered him to be a brig. At half past 9 gave him a gun; he not regarding it soon after gave him another and he rounded to. Got out the boat and boarded him. The captain came on board with his papers. She proved to be the British brig Ann of London, Appleton, master, from Oporto bound to Bayhei in ballast; not being of much value, permitted him to pass, after putting all our prisoners on board of him, being forty-six in number including the brig’s crew, and directed him to land them in Teneriffe and there to report to the proper officer. At 4 P. M. got all the prisoners on board and ordered him to make sail.”
Prize after prize was thus entered in the log, for the America overhauled everything she sighted and made chase after, and managed to keep in the track of the richest trade bound to and from England, nor could British frigates find and drive her off her station. Other entries for this third cruise include the following:
“Feb. 19th. Coming up with our chase very fast. At ½ past 3 took in studding sails and Royals. At 4 fired a gun and brought him to and boarded him. He proved to be the British brig Sisters from Malaga, cargo wine and fruit, prize to the American privateer, Young Wasp of Philadelphia. At 5 parted with him.”
“Feb. 20th. All hands to quarters and exercise the great guns, Boarders, etc. Started two Hogsheads of salt water forward to trim ship by the stern.”