|
SOLEBAY
|
(24) |
6th rate
|
Built in 1742, Plymouth.
Sold in 1763. |
|
|
- 1742 Capt. Thomas BURY, appointed on 3rd. July and employed as a cruiser. 1744 Gibraltar station, off Cape Spartel on 23rd. February he gave chase to a Spanish privateer which ran inshore in hope of escaping. Capt. BURY pursued, firing when his guns could bear, until night forced him to abandon the chase, it was thought the privateer foundered off Point Pedro.
- Two days later Capt. BURY gave chase to a large ship flying French colours, which he came up with about nine o'clock in the morning. When they approached within gun-shot the French colours were replaced by Spanish and a shot fired at SOLEBAY. Capt. BURY struck the Dutch colours he was flying, hoisted English and returned the fire, the engagement continuing until one o'clock when the enemy struck. She proved to be the CONCORDIA, a Spanish register ship from Vera Cruz, bound to Cadiz, mounting twenty-six guns, with a crew of 140 men, of whom seven were killed and more than 20 wounded, some dangerously. SOLEBAY had only seven slightly wounded. The cargo consisted of 190,000 heavy dollars. cochineal, indigo, hides and other valuable commodities.
- The news reached London on Saturday, 17th. March, when the papers reported 40 Spaniards killed and valued the cargo at 200,000 L. On 26th. of May news came that the ship could be worth 600,000 L to the captors, great quantities of gold being found amongst the Cochineal, each foremast hand will have near a 1000 L.
- 1744 captured in August.
- On the 21st. April 1746 the ALEXANDER privateer arrived in Bristol with the SOLEBAY man of war, Capt. BURY late commander, and two small homeward bound Martinique vessels, which she took off Port Louis. The SOLEBAY had passed by the ALEXANDER, and was come to an anchor in St. Martin's road under a small fort, when 59 men of the crew of the ALEXANDER boarded her, cut her cables, and brought her out to sea. The ALEXANDER is a ship of about 200 tons, 20 guns six pounders, and 150 men. The SOLEBAY had 22 nine pounders, and 230 men, who were struck with such a panic upon being so resolutely boarded by the 50 men above-mentioned, that they all ran under the deck.
- A Letter from Bristol. Dated 26th. April 1746.
- On Monday last the Alexander privateer, Capt Phillips, arrived in Kingroad with two prizes, a brig and a snow, homeward-bound from Martinique, and the Solebay man of war, a 28 gun ship, which he cut out of St. Martin's road, and brought off with above 200 men, and a great quantity of bale goods on board, being intended as a convoy to some ships bound to Martinique. The particulars of this affair, which is the boldest and best conducted actions we have heard of during the war are as follows. Capt. Phillips having on the 9th. parted from his two prizes off Belleisle, in chace of other ships, the last of which proving a Scotchman, brought him within sight of two sail, which he took to be merchantmen, off St. Martin's, to whom he also gave chace, and came up with just as they were entering that road. Capt. Phillips after taking a distinct view of the place, and seeing there were no other ships of war in the road, resolved to attack them, but not having searoom to engage, thought proper to let them come to anchor in the road. His men,unwilling to embark in such a hazardous enterprise, where generally unwilling to go on, but being encouraged by the captain, and made sensible that the undertaking was safe and feasible, at last consented. He then, making proper dispositions, stood into the road under French colours; but being to attack to windward, was obliged to make two or three tacks before he could come up with the largest of the two ships, being the prize he aimed at. When up, the captain ordered to grapple and board on the bow, and threw in 50 men armed each with a pistol, pole-axe and cutlass, and at the same time gave them two volleys of small arms from the Alexander's crew on board, which put the enemy into great confusion, and obliged them to retire down under the quarter- deck, where having arms at hand, they began to fire briskly upon the Alexander's men, which the captain perceiving, jump'd down upon the main deck, and ordered 5 guns to be fired into them. which did good execution, and so terrified them, that they immediately surrendered. The Alexander lost three hands, and the enemy ten.
|
|
|
