Monthly Archives: August 2014

August 22
The first part of these 24 hours commences with moderate Breezes and clear Weather, at 4 PM saw a sail from Masthead Bearing SSE. Made all sail in chase. At 8 PM cloudy, lost sight of her. Continued the chase till 11 o’clock took in Studdingsails and square sail. At 6 AM saw several sail. At 8 made 3 of them to be men of War. They all gave chase.

Latter part fresh gales and a heavy sea[,] with thick weather and rain at 12 noon, it cleared up a little & see them a little on the lee quarter. At 2 tacked ship. At 4 cleared away for half an hour. Could not see anything of them.

From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.

21st – Went to Town at day light and escorted with my Men Col Sterett’s Regt. on his way to Washington. Din’d at Home, Mr. Moore with us, afterwards walk’d to Mr. Peters ~ Mr. & Mrs. Wirgman call’d in the morng. & Mr. Nicols & Mr. Alexander in the evening – Wind chang’d last Night to N.W. and weater cool & pleasant today-

From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, August 21, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.

August 21st
The first part of these 24 hours commences with moderate Breezes and thick Weather, nothing in sight.

Middle and latter part, moderate breezes and light rains, attended with Squalls. At 9 AM more clear saw a sail. Made sail in chase, at 12 came up with and Boarded the Swedish Gochist Sophia from St. [?] bound to Gottenburg with a cargo of Salt. She had on board the crews of two English Vessels that had been captured by American privateers and put on board. And in consequence she would have to tack at some port in England to land them & get supplies.

From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.

August 20
These 24 hours commences. Light winds and clear weather. Laying too repairing sails. At 9 PM made sail.

Middle and Latter part fresh Gales and a crop sea, with light rains and thick foggy weather. At 7 AM saw the Barke, our prize to Leeward. Split the Jib, took it in to repair it.
So ends.

From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.

19 – Weather still Hot – Therm. 86. Went to Town, return’d to Dinner, afterwards rode to Col. Ragans Camp, & call’d at Mr. Nicols with Dr. Fitzhugh where we drank Tea, & came home – Accts were recd. today, of a very large British force having arriv’d in the Bay, and the 3rd Brigade are all order’d out in service of the U.S. and declar’d under Martial Law ~

From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, August 19, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.

on August 19th
The first part of these 24 hours commences with moderate Breezes and clear Weather, at 2 PM came up with & captured the English Brig Salus Teecher. From Quebec bound to Liverpool (305 Tons, Registry No. 68. [?] [?] [?] & Lace of Liverpool) with a cargo of Lumber. Made a Cartel of her (she having several Lady Passengers on board) and sent 73 prisoners in her. At 6 PM Mizen Head bore North. Dist. 10 miles, and Cape Clear bore E.N.E. dist 18 miles.

Latter part cloudy, and moderate. At 5 AM saw a sail from masthead. Made sail in chase & celared ship for action. At 11 Boarded him, she proved to be the Barke Mary, our prize. Gave him a few articles she wanted, and told him to proceed as fast as possible. Mr. Hall, Prize Master of the Barke, informed us he saw a Frigate who bore down on him within gunshot. When they hoisted English colors on Board of the Prize, and the Frigate fired a gun to Leeward, and made sail in chase of us who then saw from the Masthead over hauling the Brig. We did not see him.

From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.