19th – Cloudy day – Wind East ~ Did not go to Town but to the meadows with all hands to clear a way for new Fence next the run & haul away all the Thorns from hedge cut down – Mr. Alex Brown & C. Wirgman call’d at Clifton in the evening – Fred haul’d 4 loads Rails~
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, April 19, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
Ap. 19th
Latt 31° 20′ N., Long 11° 15′ W. Captured the English Ship Ontario, Potter Master. Cargo, Wine Brandy Salt & Corkwood, from Alicant to Greenoek. Manned her for the US.
From the journal of the Privateer Armed Schooner Lawrence, April 19, 1814. Maryland Historical Magazine, Volume 3, Number 2, June 1908, p. 171-176.
On April 18, 1814, Acting Master Commandant Joshua Barney with the Chesapeake Flotilla wrote to the Secretary of the Navy Williams Jones:
Off Annapolis. April 18th 1814
Sir
Yesterday I left Baltimore with ten Barges, Scorpion, Galley & Gunboat 138. We had fresh Winds, I find the 2d class does not answer well; they shipped much water and are dangerous in anything of a Sea.
The Enemy (by information from a Craft this morning) was off Piankitank two days ago, having gone down the Bay, unless some of them were up Potomac, which he could not see.
I shall return to Baltimore in the Morning, as three of the Barges, has Twisted off the head of their Rudders, they will require Rudders of more depth— I hope very shortly to be in a situation to resume my Station.
The remainder of my Barges are fitting at Baltimore under Mr. Rutter. We still continue to pick up
men. I hope to man two more boats in a few days—
I am respectfully your Obt. Servt.
Joshua Barney
Thanks again to the Blog of 1812 for sharing these transcripts of Joshua Barney’s correspondence and helping us highlight the story of the Chesapeake Flotilla.
18 – Fine day – Wind S.E. – Went to Town return’d to Dinner. Mrs. Charlotte Nicols, Mrs. Wirgman, Miss Bowly & Mr. Harper call’d & drank Tea
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, April 18, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
April 18th Latitude 35, 43 Longitude 1, 30, captured the British ship London Packer, mounting 19 guns, and schooner Melpomene, mounting 6 guns, in company, from Gibraltar to Brazil with a cargoes of wine, brandy and corks. They at first indicated by their maneuvers a disposition to resist, but surrendered without firing a shot.
From the journal of the Chasseur, excerpted in Baltimore American, June 2, 1814. Maryland Historical Society.
17 April Sunday – Very fine day & altho we had Ice yesterday morning, we can this day do without Fires ~ Rode to Hampton with S. Sterett and Robt. Patterson, din’d there and return’d Home early in the evening ~ No company at Clifton ~
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, April 17, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
16 – Very cold morning with Frost and Ice thick as a Dollar, went to Town din’d at Mr. S. Steretts ~
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, April 16, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
Ap. 16th
Latt 50° 47′ N, Long 10° 41′ W. Captured Sweedish Ship Comereen, Lindgren, Master. Cargo, Oats and Barley, for the use of the English forces in Spain. Manned her for the US.
From the journal of the Privateer Armed Schooner Lawrence, April 16, 1814. Maryland Historical Magazine, Volume 3, Number 2, June 1908, p. 171-176.
15th – Cold Rainy day., Wind N.W. – Went with all hands to the Meadows to head down a Thorn Hedge, which was accomplish’d altho the day was very unfavorable – Haul’d 2 Loads of Rails ~ S. Hughes call’d & drank tea
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, April 15, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.