I, Oliver Wilson, Commander of the private armed brig called the Yankee, do swear that what is contained in the foregoing Journal, consisting of one hundred and fifty pages, is just and true in all its parts. So help me God.
Oliver Wilson.
Collector’s Office, Port of Newport
Sworn to the day and year above mentioned,
William Ellery, Collector.
FINIS
| LIST OF PRIZES CAPTURED BY THE PRIVATEER “YANKEE”DURING HER SECOND CRUISE. | |
| No. 1. Sloop Mary Ann of London, Captain Stewart Sutherland,copper-bottomed, mounting 4 carriage guns andnavigated by 11 men, with a cargo of gold-dust, ivory,drygoods, and camwood. Took out the cargo, strippedthe vessel and set her on fire. 27th Nov. 1812—Lat. Obs.7°29′ N.—off Sierra Leone. | |
| Vessel and cargo valued at | $16,000 |
| No. 2 Letter of Marque Schooner Alder, of Liverpool, lateCaptain Edward Crowley, mounting 6 carriage guns (9pounders), coppered, formerly a French Privateer, with21 men and a cargo of gun powder (400 casks) muskets,iron, lead, flints, drygoods, etc. Ordered home. TheAlder was captured on the 3d of Dec. 1812 in Lat. 6°53′N, off Cape Saint Anna, after a skirmish of 20 minutes.The Alder blew up. | |
| Vessel and cargo valued at | $10,000 |
| No. 3 Letter of Marque Brig Andalusia, Anthony YatesKendall, Master of and from Gibraltar, bound to the coaston a trading voyage, 210 tons burthen, mounting 10 carriageguns (4 long French nines and 6 twelve pound cannonades)with small arms, ammunition etc. and a crewof 100 men including 81 Free Africans who served asmarines. The Andalusia was captured on the 10th ofDec. 1812, in Lat. 5°35′ N, after a running fight of threehours and a close engagement of 45 minutes. | |
| Vessel and cargo valued at | $17,000 |
| No. 4 Pilot boat Schooner George. Cut out by the Yankee’sboat. Deserted by the captain and crew. CargoRice. Given to prisoners. | |
| Vessel and cargo valued at | $ 1,000 |
| No. 5 Brig Thames of Liverpool, Francis Toole, Master;8 carriage guns (nines and twelves), 14 men, cargo ivory,drygoods and camwood (240 tons)—captured 10th Jan.1813 off Annabona. | |
| Vessel and cargo valued at | $25,000 |
| No. 6 Brig Fly of London, Captain Tydeman, 6 carriageguns (nines) 14 men, formerly a French privateer, a newand handsome vessel and sails, cargo gold-dust, ivory,gun powder, drygoods and sundries. The Fly was cutout from under the guns of Fort Apollonia, mounting 50pieces of artillery, at 1 p. m. on the 20th Dec. 1812. | |
| Vessel and cargo valued at (Besides the gold) | $26,000 |
| No. 7 Armed Brig Harriott and Matilda, of Maryport,Captain John Inman, from Cork bound to Pernambuco,mounting 8 carriage guns, eighteens and twelves, 14 men,coppered, 262 tons, sails well, with a valuable cargo ofdrygoods, iron, porter, salt etc. | |
| Vessel and cargo valued at | $27,000 |
| No. 8 Brig Shannon, Captain Robert Kendall, of Workington,from Maranham, bound to Liverpool, mounting10 carriage guns (nines and sixes), 15 men, 210 tonsburthen, with a full cargo of cotton (100 tons). TheShannon was captured on the 24th Feb. in Lat. 27°3′ N.and Long. Lunar 56°42′ W, Bermudas bearing N. W.,after an action of 10 minutes in which the Mate of theShannon was severely wounded. | |
| Vessel and cargo valued at | $45,000 |
| Property on board the Yankee in gold, ivory, fine goods etc. | $45,000 |
| ———— | |
| $212,000 | |
| GENERAL ESTIMATE. | ||||
| Names | Guns | Men | Small Arms | Value |
| Mary Ann | 4 | 11 | 186 | $16,000 |
| Alder | 6 | 21 | 90 | 10,000 |
| Andalusia | 10 | 100 | 90 | 17,000 |
| George | 7 | 1,000 | ||
| Fly | 6 | 14 | 20 | 26,000 |
| Thames | 8 | 14 | 30 | 25,000 |
| Harriott & Matilda | 8 | 14 | 20 | 27,000 |
| Shannon | 10 | 15 | 25 | 45,000 |
| — | —– | —– | ———– | |
| 52 | 196 | 461 | $167,000 | |
| Value on board the Yankee | 45,000 | |||
| ———– | ||||
| $212,000 | ||||
OFFICERS OF THE YANKEE
Oliver Wilson, Commander
Seth Barton, First Lieutenant
John H. Vinson, Second Lieutenant
Thomas Jones, Third Lieutenant
Elisha Snow, Master
Caleb Miller, Surgeon
Noah Jones, Capt. of Marines & Captain’s Clerk
Andrew Holden, First Mate
Joseph Meades, Second Mate
Thomas Pitts, Third Mate
Seven Prize-Masters
Six Quarter-Masters
One hundred men
ROUTE OF THE YANKEE
Touched at St. Jago, Cape de Verds, on the 27th day of her cruise for wood and water. Engaged one of his Britannic Majesty’s Schooners on the night of the 23d of November. Cruised between Cape Verde and Cape Lopez from the 22d of November 1812 to the 6th of January 1813, looking in at every port, harbour, river, factory, town etc on that coast, and capturing five valuable prizes, loaded with gold dust, ivory, dyewoods etc. Touched at the island’s of St. Thomas, Annabona, Ascension, and Fernando Noronha, at various times during her cruise, for wood, water and fresh stock. Then cruised off the coast of Brazil, and captured two large brigs with cargoes of fine goods and sundries. Fought four battles, crossed the Equinoctial Line six times, and returned safe into port, having been frequently chased by the enemy, after an absence of 146 days without the loss of a man.[60]