|
John Paul Jones,
Whitehaven
April or May?
Thursday 23.
The town of Whitehaven in Cumberland, opposite the Irish
coast, was suddenly alarmed by a party from an American
privateer, who landed in the night and set fire to one of
the ships in the harbour, with a design to burn the town,
which, however, was providentially prevented by the exertion
of the inhabitants, who extinguished the flames before they
had reached the rigging. One of the party, who was left
behind, on his examination declared, that the party landed
consisted of 30 men, that they belonged to the Ranger
privateer, fitted out at Piscataqua in New England, Capt.
Jones commander; that she mounted 18 guns besides swivels,
and had on board between 140 and 150 men; that she had taken
two prizes and sent them into France. The same privateer has
since landed some men on the western coast of Scotland, and
pillaged the house of Lord Selkirk, near Kirkcudbright, of
plate, jewels, and all the moveables that were of value. His
Lordship was in London, but his Lady and family were in the
house.
|