British Privateer 'Spitfire' (1779)

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Naval Sailor
Service 1817
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Service 1815
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Naval Sailor
Service 1815
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Joseph WillistonAmerican
Naval Sailor
Service 1799-1814
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Naval Sailor
Service 1813
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Naval Sailor
Service 1812
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Naval Sailor
Service 1808
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Naval Sailor
Service 1815
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Service 1762-1862
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Service 1814
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Recent Comments

Oxford (22) 1656-1669
British 22 Gun
5th Rate Ship
(1656)
George TeerBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1758-1783
George TeerBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1758-1783
Orleans (Unknown) 1838
American Unknown Gun
Merchant Brig
(1838)
Hound (Unknown) 1839
American Unknown Gun
Merchant Schooner
(1839)
La Coquette (Unknown) 1809-1822
French Unknown Gun
Unrated Corvette
(1809)
La Coquette (Unknown) 1809-1822
French Unknown Gun
Unrated Corvette
(1809)
John Ender (Unknown) 1839
American Unknown Gun
Merchant Schooner
(1839)
Formosa (Unknown) 1839
Portugese Unknown Gun
Other Slave Ship
(1839)
Formosa (Unknown) 1839
Portugese Unknown Gun
Other Slave Ship
(1839)
See more...

Spitfire
Nominal Guns	16	HLP
Nationality	Great Britain
Operator	Private Owners
Acquired	1779	HLP
Home Port	Liverpool - Lancashire	HLP
Shipyard	Unknown	HLP
Category	Privateer	HLP
Ship Type	Unknown	HLP
Captured	19.4.1779	HLP

1 Ship Commander

DatesRankNameSource
1779 - 5.1779MasterHLP

Service History

DateEventSource
19.4.1779Taken by a French frigateHLP

Notes on Ship

Letter from Captain Bell, dated L'Orient, May 2nd, 1779HLP
I am sorry to acquaint you with my misfortune. On the 19th of April, in lat. 46. 20. long-. 5. 10. we met with the La frigate, of 32 guns, 26 twelves and 6 six-pounders, removable to either side, which made 19 guns on the side they engaged, and three brass swivels of one pound each, with 246 men. We began to engage about fifty or sixty yards distance, and from that to thirty. The fire was brisk on both sides and well kept up for one hour and fifteen minutes, having then only two guns on the starboard side, and five on the larboard fit for action. We were at last obliged to strike our colours, or rather the Union thereof, as the other part was shot away. In all our sails, from the royals downwards, there was scarce one piece left the size of a sheet. Our standing and running rigging cut entirely to pieces; two ports made into one, and the ship's side like a rabbit warren. You may rest assured I have discharged the duty of a man, both in courage and conduct. Four killed and six wounded.

Sources

IDNameAuthorType

HLPGomer Williams, Digital Book

Previous comments on this page

Posted by regis on Sunday 24th of January 2016 16:13

first privateer ship with carronades ??

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Recent comments to other pages

Date posted	By	Page
Wednesday 1st of May 2024 09:49	Andreu	British Fifth Rate ship 'Oxford' (1656) (22) 1656-1669 British 22 Gun 5th Rate Ship
Wednesday 1st of May 2024 09:43	Cy	George TeerBritish Naval Sailor Service 1758-1783
Wednesday 1st of May 2024 02:20	jude de angulo	George TeerBritish Naval Sailor Service 1758-1783
Monday 29th of April 2024 18:48	AvM	American Merchant brig 'Orleans' (1838) (Unknown) 1838 American Unknown Gun Merchant Brig
Monday 29th of April 2024 08:31	AvM	American Merchant schooner 'Hound' (1839) (Unknown) 1839 American Unknown Gun Merchant Schooner

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