Prologue to Bouillé

 

HMS - "His Majesty's Ship"

 

The faith yellow daylight was just breaking the horizon. As always the Alfred was trailing behind the Raleigh .The little American squadron was sailing just east of Guadeloupe to the windward of La Désirade. The 32-gun frigate, Raleigh was lifted by waves of the open sea. On board the captain and most of the crew was still asleep. In fact -even one of the lockouts who had been on duty for the last 3 hours was starting feel his eyes closing slightly. It was mainly due to the slight cold Caribbean breeze he was able to stay awake. The other lookout- a tall fellow from Boston - had been being facing the horizon for 10 min now and as they had agreed they were to switch side in order not to get blind sighted by the early morning light. He sighted and turned to face the sun. Being from Minnesota he had fair skin but the many hours on board the ship had hardened him and he rarely got sunburn these days. He thought back to his family in the states. Many years ago he had decided that a farmer´s life was not for him. He had felt overly inspired by his ancestor Viking line and took to the sea. He had from the beginning been blessed with good fortune. He had been in Maine just months before the Raleigh was put to sea and was therefore able to retain a post with the crew under

Captain Thomas Thompson.

 

When they set sail for France they were joined by Alfred an impressive man of war ship. And again good fortune smiled upon the frigate just three days out they captured a schooner carrying counterfeit Massachusetts money. The captain decided to burn the schooner and most of her cargo, except for some samples of the money and the two frigates continued their transatlantic passage to France. It was a surprise to all on board that they did so well, considering that they had been short handed from the beginning. They had actually shifted men from Alfred to Raleigh to make the journey. Late on September 2 they captured another British ship – a brig named Nancy, and from her they obtained the signals of the convoy which the brig had been escorting from the rear. The captain was thrilled and probably drunk with their previous success so he quickly gave chase sensing a feat of glory at hand. The Americans closed with the convoy on September 4, 1777. Raleigh, making use of her captured signals and intercepted the convoy. And then -on her own -engaged HMS Druid. Alfred was no help at all. In the ensuing battle she damaged Druid, but the approach of the remaining British escorts forced Raleigh to retire. Much to the disappointment of all. Good prizes were always a way to make money and glory with one blow. For the longest time they had been stayed in France. The captain even went to Paris to wine and dinner with the Queen of France. It was just before the New Year - on December 29, that Raleigh and Alfred was able to set sail from Lorient in France. They followed a curse that took them along the coast of Africa and stayed for a while at the shore of Senegal. And our Minnesota Viking sailor was amazed by the many odd creatures and people he had the pleasure and sometimes displeasure to meet. After capturing a British vessel just at the mount of the Senegal River, Raleigh was to cross the Atlantic Ocean heading to the West Indies. The sailor had a few times feared for his life and for the boat. As much as he felt proud of the battle with Druid he also for the first time realized the he could die on this boat. The mere fact that Alfred didn´t come to aid, had him wonder and he was the only one. But he had cast those thoughts aside the first time they docked and he was able to spend endless money on drink and women. He therefore reasoned that sailing – capturing prizes gave him a life worth living. The captain had also given them much praise as sailors. Lately the Viking left that this life was in his blood. Whether that was due to resemblance to the Viking raid and conquest or the mere fact that he really enjoyed the variety of drink and women he meet – he never gave much thought too.

Suddenly he felt a cold. He looked to the horizon that seemed almost like a blank canvas due to the reflections in the sea. But he couldn´t stop any changes and once again fell deep into fantasies of things to come here in West Indies. He smiled at the thought of rum which was the trademark drink of these waters and also gave some thought to the type of women that resided on the these island. In Africa he had had his fill of the Africa Exotic so he was hoping to find the much renowned Creole girls. Unless the captain had them on dock lock which meant a whole lot of drink but no women. Once he felt an odd cold creeping upon him and he decide to stand up. The swell made the lockout mast swag from side to side and he felt to his knees. He cursed himself and the sea before getting to his feet and grabbing the spyglass.

He gazed from left to right but nothing seemed out of place and he wave to the tall lookout at the other end as it was time to switch again. He looked back to see the Alfred and notice through the spyglass that their lookout had the very same idea. He smirked and waved to see if their lookout was bored as he was. After a few minutes of making obscene gestures he focused his attention to the sea. He felt oddly warmth by the fact that they were able to spend time just horsing around. The sounds of the swells were almost like a lullaby and he decided to drop his coat – hoping a jolt of cold would keep him awake. He then grabbed the spyglass and started turning from left to right whilst dreaming of the Caribbean Island and their many promises of good times to come. Sadly it was time to switch sides again. He signaled to his mate that he was turning. Because the sun was just kissing the horizon he squirted his eyes and rapidly scanned back and forth.

Oh - How he hated these uneventful days. For a second he succumbed to the temptation of closing his eyes and rubbed them with his fingers. He then to prolong the break turned to the Alfred. Much to his surprise both lookouts seemed occupied with something going on below them on deck which actually left his Boston friend and him the only ones on guard. Suddenly he noticed something glinting to southwest of the Alfred. He eagerly put the spyglass to his eye and faced southwest. He almost felt the goose bumps and the hair on the back of his neck before he even spotted the two ships. The two strangers were sailing across the projected course of the American ships. This might yet be a good day he thought to himself and then he sounded the bell to wake the whole ship. He signaled to his fellow mates on the Alfred to sound the alarm. “Best to be prepared, you never know what might be coming.”

 

Soon the Captain emerged on the top deck. Thomas Thompson was a man well into his late 30´s and he didn´t move as agile as he just too. He grabs his spyglass and look to ships, but they were too far away. Thompson looked to the Alfred. He looks to see if Captain Hinman was on deck too. Despite the fact that the two men started off with very little in common their joined venture had been quite successful. They had grown almost accustomed to each other. When they first met Thompson had wondered if Hinman had seen them as equals or even if he could trust him. Thompson was aware that his Northern Ireland birthplace wasn´t helping when he was to work with American-born and breed people who was fighting his former country. But he simply accepted that fact and worked his best to prove people wrong. Hinman had seen hesitant at the beginning, but the success of their journey and their many experiences had them on friendly terms which Thompson found agreeable. Raleigh and Alfred had been a good match whether Hinman and Thompson had liked it or not. There was however no doubt each captain convinced that he was the better captain then the other.

But at every encounter Thompson was unsure whether Hinman would follow his lead or was doing his own thing. Alfred was always slower in the handling, and one could never tell if Hinman was I n fact doing his own thing or Alfred was struggling to tackle and here in the Caribbean waters lurked all sorts of danger. The old fashion pirates were thing of the past. Thompson had almost forgotten the names of infamous pirates that roomed these waters 30 years ago. And Hinman from Connecticut knew more about the native Indian tribes then he did of pirates. But in these waters and the fact that they were themselves on the hunt for prizes paranoia was the better response. Suddenly Thompson felt a chill. He look to the outlook to see if he had spotted any more ships or the stranger in the distance had changed course. He knew from their former battles that he had plan in great detail to overcome Alfred’s sailing traits and combine that with the Raleigh. But the look- out seem almost frozen as if he didn´t know what to do. Thompson imagined the cannons and smoke that would filled the air in sea battle. He shrugged and went down to inspect the canons. He looked at the men and knew that long journey and permanent lack of a full crew had drained most of them of energy. He himself felt tired and in need of some land leave. He wasn´t getting any younger.

 

Even when he went to his quarters, he shrugged. The long journey wasn´t just making him tired – he also was tired of people questioning his loyalty. He went over to the maps on his desk. His eyes almost hurt as he was trying to focus on the map. He dropped into his chair and felt his back aching too. He felt angry. He had served his new country well and loyal, and yet he was still upon as a stranger. He went to his cabinet and found a glass and poured some ale. He began walking to the deck, but remembered that it was impossible to keep his hand steady all the way up, so he went back and sat down in his chair to drink the beer before going up.

 

From mere fatigue he was getting a headache. He looked at the map. They were sailing toward to Windward Island but were still too far away to reach a friendly port. The majority of Islands were still under British rule. The lush green islands of the French Martinique or Guadeloupe could be an option. But they were far way still. On the island lay a future promise of rest and fresh food and drink. He hadn´t had fresh meat for last couple of weeks and he hadn´t seen any greenery since Africa. Thompson felt strangely calmed by the prospect of going to Martinique and decided that no matter what he would go there next.

 

Suddenly he could hear the Master of ship calling out orders to the sailors. Something had apparently happened. Thompson sighed and rose. He hesitated for a moment, but emptied his glass, poured another one and drank it too. He went to the deck and surveyed the state of things. The 34 canons were all being prepared and there was a hectic atmosphere on deck. While the Master of ship continued ordering the men about Thompson went to have another look at the unknown ships. He noticed that the activity on Alfred had increase too. He went slowly to the portside to get a better look. Even thought the ships were still too far away to make any clear marks. – Thompson was quite certain that these were not American ships – the chance of that would small. Perhaps they were French or Spanish. He really didn´t know what he hoped for – tired and worn out.

 

Captain Thomas Pringle was proud of his ship. She might be a small one but His Mastery´s Ariadne was a fast ship and she had served him well in battle before. When she had been fitted with a copper-bottom it had improve her speed considerably and few ships was able to outrun her. And now paired with able Ceres he was feeling good and prepared. Both ships had for a while now been patrolling just North of Barbados. Being born on St. Kitts this like sailing in his personal waters and Pringle had been happy almost every single day of this cruise. But so far nothing out of the ordinary had come about, which had made it a slightly bored run. But then in the early morning light two ships had been spotted. The lockout had pointed to northeast and he himself had soon spotted two sails in the east quarter. Captain Pringle had signaled the Ceres to give chase. And the calm seas gave them a good steady pace over the swells. Even from a distance Pringle was able to make out the size of the two unknown ships and there was no doubt that Ariadne –just a small 20 gunner and Ceres with her just 18 guns were decidedly inferior to the unknown ships. He couldn´t help speculating if he was facing enemy or friendly opponents. One could never know in these times and in these waters – the French ships were not enemy ships yet so … But if this was American ships – great prize might lay ahead. On board the Ceres his fellow captain James Dacres was a veteran of the Lake Champlain campaign of 1776 where Pringle himself had commanded the British fleet to victory. So in the company of a professional and able captain only rivaled by him he had to give chase – it would be an insult not to do so. “Hauled to the wind – let´s stand north” Pringle ordered and once again was filled with pride as the sailors hurried to his command. He kept his ship due north and Dacres was able to keep a good track while keeping close to Ariadnes starboard. Pringle turn his ship slightly left to catch a better wind and then straight north again. He was eager to take yet another prize. Since he was given command of HMS Ariadne and assigned to duty as part of the West Indies fleet he had served his Majesty well. Ariadne had captured a number of American naval vessels - transports, and privateers, even a Virginia State Navy brig named Mosquito and a privateer ship Johnston. They gave chase to almost anything of a good size that sailed in or close to these islands what else would have been the point of his commission if he was not to take the chance when opportunity presented itself. Small boat or not he had indeed been quite successful. Actually he had obtained a sizeable reputation and was quite fear by the local privateers that room these waters. If anyone got wind of Ariadne´s position most nearby ships sought port and it had become a bit harder to size prize. So to overcome their prey´s reactions they were lighter then usually which made them faster than any ship they pursued. The only disadvantage of course being a small number of canons or gunners. Pringle was more and more elated for every mile they gained on the two strangers.

 

On board the Raleigh Captain Thompson had no choice but to heave to – due to the slow pace of the Alfred. Thompson had seen that the strangers had closed up and were standing north, close hauled to the wind. This in itself would indicate that they were probably warships, and most likely British Royal Navy or privateers. He did a quick survey of the situation. Raleigh would do fine – he was sure - but Alfred - that slow ship. Oddly enough she were perhaps of the most beautiful ships he had ever seen - originally build as a full-rigged, 300 ton three-master merchant ship (back then named “Black Prince”) she wasn´t meant to be a warship and she still had a sleek peaceful appearance of a merchant ship – which he found particular beautiful. But because of her wartime modifications the additional weight of timer and canons had affected her sailing qualities and made her top-heavy. She was known as “crank” or “tender-sided”. But still with a good seaman as Captain she was capable of giving excellent service. Thompson did however still wonder if Hinman would do the right thing or do his own. Add to that the fact they had from the beginning been without a full crew. Thompson sighed. He felt so beat-up and worn-out. He had to dig deep to find some resources to get some energy. The crew would be demoralized if he started to show signs of fatigue. And engaging in combat would need his best. The crew was hurrying to load the canons and securing the loose cargo. But Thompson was not all too sure what was the right thing to do. He knew Raleigh would have to take lead – having Alfred in the rear. His trail of thought kept getting interrupted by the cries of the seamen. He turned his back to the deck to look at Alfred and trying to find a trail of thought. Engaging in battle should not be a problem- both ship carried a valid sum of canons but sailing qualities of Alfred could prove a problem. If they couldn´t engage and attack at first sight then Alfred would need more time to turn then Raleigh and that would leave them in harm’s way. It was a question of tactics, pride and cost. Despite Raleigh’s size and numbers of guns Thompson knew he would need some support to keep two ships away. He guessed that was his grounds for concern. But that might also be his solution. He would put one of the ships at risk and then ambush the British from the side. He needed to confer with Hinman. –“Get me close to the Alfred”. When the Raleigh and Alfred were close enough the two captains conferred. Captain Hinman seemed concerned and asked Thompson what he thought of the two ships; Thompson replied that he was unsure at that distance, but “we would go down and see what they were and then determining accordingly, desired him to go down to the stern most ship . . .” If the trailing ship was the largest, Thompson said I would make for her. Hinman said he would go down and observe Thompson’s “motions.” Almost 2 hours later the Continentals were about five or six miles away from the two strangers, and it was clear by now that they were armed vessels. –“Men- prepare. Remember we are fighting for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” Thompson said and looked with determination at the enemy vessels.

 

Pringle on his Ariadne had slowed down and Ceres almost passed by them. Captain Dacres signaled to the left and Pringle turned his head. He saw some shapes that had a recognizable shape that differed considerably from the normal goods on a merchant ship. That was not an ordinary merchant ship. That was a man-of-war ship. Pringle couldn´t help to feel excited. His guts had proven right. Despite the ship clever disguise as a merchant ship he wouldn´t be fooled. Ceres turn rapidly to the leeward side of these unknown ships. Pringle and his Ariedne followed. The stern of the slow but large ship was just ahead of them. It was quite impressive – the dark and golden wood was beautiful. And the design – Pringle was fascinated. He decided right there and then that if he got the chance he would go for this one and not the other. But good ship decorum meant he could not attack right away. He would have to give them a warning first. And if these ship were friendly. He would be forced to let them sail. Pringle noticed that the haul had been strengthened probably to hold the canons. He wondered what else was different on board. He also looked to see the fitted canons. But they were hard to count as some was under cover of large cloth pieces. –“Bring us up on the leeward side”. He turned to the men and hoped they had time to react before engaging. Pringle tried to assess the situation on Ceres. He most certainly hoped they were ready. He had roughly estimated the Americans to have 52 gunners to theirs 38. But Pringle felt confident that they stood a chance. He felt a rush of excitement and couldn´t help smiling.

 

Thompson

On the Raleigh Capt. Thompson now hauled his wind on the same tack as the two unknown ships, that is, to the north. He grabbed his spyglass to get a better look. Ariadne and Ceres it wasn´t ships he had heard off but they moved well and seems very in sink. They were both small and sleeker then Raleigh and far more movable then Alfred. And they began chase. He was no longer in doubt as to their disposition: these were not friendly ships. It was the darned thing about these waters. The British ruled enough islands for their ships to seek cover or get repairs whereas American ships had to rely on the few friendly nation islands. That had given The Royal Navy a huge advantage in this area. The plantage goods – sugar, rum and spices – were regularly ship and sold with profit. Which made every shipment a valuable matter. The British had been successful not just in securing the safe passage of their own ship. They had indeed made it harder for others to trade in these waters. He had noticed The British vessels were to leeward of the Americans, which would provided them with a better tactical position and wanted to get a longer and better look at their sailing qualities and strength before committing to battle. He looked to the Alfred. She was trailing Raleigh on her weather quarter (the side from which the wind is blowing.). A side that was always sought in naval battles because to have the weather quarter meant having an advantage over an opponent since one could choose the moment of attack against ships to the leeward and the copious amounts of smoke produced by the cannon fire was blown to the leeward obscuring the enemy´s vision.

Thompson knew his maneuver might be interpreted as a disposition to attack and one of the British vessels reacted promptly and tacked again. They most certainly would work up wards and get some wakes. The wind was from the northeast, as it usually was in this area, and the British were now steering to the southeast, attempting to close ground to windward. Both Thompson and the Master of ship were aware that it was a matter of time and wind before the two strangers could attack. The change in the current suddenly made the men lose their footing and for a brief moment chaos ruled on deck. The effect of the ale instantly lifted from Cap. Thomson. He suddenly felt so tired and the headache pounded. But Raleigh stood on and held her position. Alfred on the other hand – due to the abysmal sailing - fell behind and to leeward, which left her closing with Pringle’s Ariadne. Thompson sighed. Hopefully Hinman was following Thompson’s orders to look over the enemy. Thompson grabbed his spyglass again. He could see Hinman ordering the sailors and soldiers. These pre – battle moments always made the atmosphere tense and hastily despite the fact that they had battle before. He suddenly noticed that Hinman seemed pondering something and had left the master of ship to order the crew. Suddenly Hinman clouted his fist and slam it on the railing as if he had remembered something important. He ordered something and a seaman ran to complete the order. Thompson suddenly felt confused and a bit angered. What was the stubborn American up to? Thompson surely hoped Himan wasn´t getting ahead of himself. Thompson was not one to forget, why he did this. He strongly believed in future of his new nation and the statements – the ideas that lay behind. He remembered with pride the spring afternoon where he was commissioned to command this ship. He – originally a British native – was to command one of this first Continental Navy ship. He also felt pressure from the fact that Sir Walter Raleigh was his figurehead. Sir Raleigh did more than most embody the freckle life one has to live under the British rulers.

Thompson suddenly realized the sum of pressure he felt. He had been filled with joy when he first arrived in Portsmouth. He and his wife had settled in and made a lot of friends in their town. When the war broke he had felt more American then British and was hoping to serve his new country. But it hadn´t been easy. The constant doubting of his loyalty. The envy of some as his ship as it was being built. The statements made by his fellow captains in Portsmouth. John Paul Jones even went as far as calling him: a dull inactive genius that was better suited for carpentry then war. Thompson shook his head in disbelief. Isabella – his wife – had told him time and time again that she supported and believed in him and that one day others would too. And on this cruise alone he had been so successful and done some harm to the British campaign. He felt angry and ...

Truth be told – right there on the quarter deck Thompson was filled all sort of emotions. Adrenaline, sadness, pressure was getting to him. He started breathing heavy and his heart pounded. Besides Martinique wasn´t that far away. He pondered for moment signaling Alfred. But then he looked at the sailors, they all looked determined and ready. The master of ship looked straight at him and Thompson made up his mind. Come what may. He was handed his jacket and the Master stood right beside him. “We are ready Captain” Thompson nodded and refocused his mind to the task at hand. He heard a noise as if cannons were fired, but was unsure where and who had fired. The Master seemed fine and kept ordering the sailors. Alas he had no time to solve the mystery as it was time to find and note his noon position. Thompson noted that the Ceres was four miles to leeward of Ariadne. Ariadne was about six miles from Alfred. His own ship 3 miles ahead of Alfred. “Prepare to tack and stand down” Thompson wanted Raleigh turned south towards Alfred so they could both attack the Ariadne. But the Ariadne made sail and stood north as if intent on closing. Thompson quickly estimated that the other British ship would take longer in closing. Suddenly the Ariadne tack again which made her pass under Alfred’s lee, standing south. Then out of no-where Hinman hoisted the American colors and fired a few shots at Ariadne. Thompson was chocked. Hinman had completely and without a signal decide to open the battle. The Adriadne immediately run up the Union Jack and fired off a replay to Alfred’s shots. The air filled with cannon smoke that drifted slowly away in the light breeze.

Thompson furiously grabbed his spyglass – just in time to see the Ceres pass alongside the Alfred and fired a broadside at her in the passing. The next few minutes he stood watching as Alfred now stood off before the wind (light, from the east northeast). Hinman was crowding on her light sails to escape. This maneuver took her across the projected track of the British, following their next tack, Thompson was startled “Hinman what are you doing” – he thought to himself and he tried hastily to wonder which options was left” Hinmans self-serving and headless move had forced everyone to show their hand prematurely. In fact Raleigh was forced to sail on and gain wind and tack again before they could aid. Had Hinman seen something Thompson had missed or ? He felt more confused and that left him uncertain what would be his next move. Hinman was no less still trying to crow the light sails. Maybe - Thompson assumed, Hinman, in the slow and cranky Alfred was doing his best to escape in the absence of any sign of assistance from Raleigh. But it was obvious to him that Alfred could neither escape from both British ships, nor engage only one, while Raleigh could fight one or escape both. The Ceres, now bearing southwest from Raleigh was steering to cut off the Alfred. Thompson’s hesitancy had provoked Hinman to steer into Pringle’s grasp. Thompson needed to act fast - “Haul up the courses” He needed to get involved in this battle before it got out of hand. Perhaps he could lure the Ariadne to attack him while leaving Alfred to engage Ceres alone. Thompson looked to see if Ariadne took the bait - but both ships made toward the Alfred.” Something had to be done. Thompson now veered and stood down for the Alfred to come between her and the Ceres. But all his maneuvers were ignored and both ships had tack again and gave chase to Alfred. Hinman seemed to gain on the British, but then they both came up alongside Alfred and began a furious fire, which Hinman returned. Thompson gained wind and was finally turning about. -” set the studding sails. We need to close quickly”. Thompson felt a rush of hope and grab his spyglass to survey the situation. Thompson would forever remember what he saw and frozen in complete disbelief.

 

Pringle

 

Pringle was determined to give the two ships the benefit of the any doubt. He was always a man of honor. Even though they were sailing without colors. He could make out the names Raleigh and … Oddly enough the beautiful ship was without a name on the stern which was uncommon. He had to make sure they were given fair warning. Pringle decide to fire two shots at the headmost ship (Raleigh), as a signal to heave to. He waited. But the captain or at least the ship seems to ignore them. He suddenly felt slightly offended. His ship might be small but should not be underestimated. He simply decided to force some sort of reaction from either of the ships. Pringle signaled to the Ceres to tack at same time as him which would make them both turning north as the same time. He already knew they would have to tack again. But he needed to see how the foreign ships would react. “Signal the Ceres to tack again – to the southeast” Pringle had to take noon positions: Ariadne was 201 miles north of Barbados. Meanwhile the Ceres was on her leeward side and the Raleigh ahead. Pringle watched as the Raleigh prepared to tacked and turn south to the Alfred, as if they planned to attack the Ariadne. And for short moment he allowed himself a slight feeling of pride. “So finally you react. I knew you had to. I am waiting for you right here” he thought as if talking to the ships themselves. He was really pleased that the weather was clear and the breeze light. It was one the things he really like about his homeland. Pringle made sail and stood north, as if intent on closing. This was Pringle’s second tack. (Ceres) would be two hours properly be in closing. On her third tack the Ariadne passed under the warship´s lee, standing south, distant about two miles. And Pringle was able to make out the name. Alfred. Pringle had heard of an Alfred – The Alfred. The first continental ship to hoist the rebel flag of Grand Union. Oh - this would indeed be a grand prize – The Alfred. What glory! Pringle was overfilled with a rush of excitement and expectations.

 

Shortly after Ceres passed by and alongside the Alfred, she reacted. The American colors were hoisted and she fired a few shots at Ariadne, which meant she opened battle. Pringle decided: it was time. Master give the order he smiled and heard the cry of battle: “Hoist the flag and give them hell.” It was time to let them taste of their own medicine.

Alfred now stood off before the wind (light, from the east northeast), crowding on her light sails to escape. This maneuver would take her across the projected track of the British, following their next tack. Pringle smiled. It was going to easy and faster than he expected. Pringle was a bit surprise that the Raleigh seem to avoid engaging in the battle which left the Alfred exposed. The Ceres, now bearing southwest from Raleigh was steering to cut off the Alfred. Raleigh’s hesitancy had provoked Alfred to steer into Pringle’s grasp. Amazingly, Raleigh now hauled up his courses, the traditional way of inviting battle. If he was hoping to lure Ariadne to attack him while leaving Alfred to engage Ceres alone. He was sorely mistaken. Pringle had made his mind up. So close to such a prize as Alfred. Pringle would return to Raleigh later. Pringle tack again closely followed by Ceres. Pringle just enjoyed the fact that he was working with a competent captain. They were now chasing the Alfred .The Raleigh seemed to react in the distance but Pringle ignored Thompson’s maneuvers and both British vessels closed on Alfred. At first the Alfred seemed to gain on his pursuers, but in a few minutes both British came up alongside. “Fire away with all the battery” Pringle was not wasting any time. Alfred returned the fire. But Ariadne gave and returned a number of broadsides. But she was not the only one and Ceres did a good amount of damage too. Then suddenly the flag was lowered. They striked the colors. Needless to say – but Pringle was elated to see the Alfred strike its colors. She surrendered. Pringle was victorious again. But he faced one dilemma. He could see the Raleigh heading off in the distance and yet he had to secure his prize. The British quickly sent boats over to the Alfred to take possession and to remove the prisoners. Pringle noted in his log that Alfred as armed with twenty 9-pounders and as having a crew of 181 men aboard. Most of these men were removed to the Ariadne, including all the principal officers. Fifty-nine of the crew were placed on the Ceres. And when the prisoners had been removed the Ariadne could began chasing the Raleigh. Pringle knew it would take Ceres sometime to load all the prisoners but he knew he had to act now. Ceres would join Ariadne later. Ariadne pursued with determination and was soon enough follow by Ceres and Alfred. Alfred did however fall behind and late in the evening Pringle lost sight of her. Along the way Pringle could see all sort things that Raleigh had thrown overboard to lighten her load and escape. Pringle was not one to quit and continued his pursuit all through the night. After hours of endless chase Pringle broke off the pursuit well into the next day. He turned south to regain his station. He was exceedingly chagrined to find that even a Copper bottom could not out sail a ship tho´ reduced by lightening to the quality of a skimming dish.^..

Pringle waited as the captured captain boarded his ship. They both nodded and were introduced. Pringle was curious to the one who got away: Who was the dammed rascal who ran away? He looked straight into Cap. Himans face to see his reaction. Cap. Himan didn´t look pleased. “Sir, he is your countryman” Hinman replied. Pringle slightly grinned and answered: “He is a rascal, come from where he may.” Hinman then added: “Had I his ship, I would have taken you, Sir.” Pringle thought that was boasting and look sternly at Hinman: “That is loud talking, Capt Hinman.” Hinman stated the force of the Raleigh and look to Pringle:” would you if you commanded such a ship not think you could have captured the two British vessels? Hinman looked almost defiant. Pringle who was filled the pride of victory decide that he would not argue with his foe. “I do believe I would” Pringle replied to which Hinman added, “I think I could do as much as you.” Pringle concluded “I believe you can.”