The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-11-01
MEMOIR OF RHoDE-IsLAND.
Taking and destroying the Sloop Of War
Liberty, at NeppOrt.


Liberty, at Nerport.
The first account we obtained of the cap
ture and destruction of the public armed
sloop Liberty, was traditionary; and was
related to US by one of the old inhabitants
of the town, Dir. Benjamin Hadwin, in the
year 1885, with which traditionary account
We commence.
"In the year 1863, in the summer, the
sloop Liberty was lying at anchor between
Long Wharf and Goat Island. She was
fitted out at Boston by the commissioners
of the Kings Revenue, to examine end de-
tain all vessels who were suspected of vlo-
latng the revenue laws. She had brought
in Brig, and, perhaps, another vessel-ihe
brig belonged to Connecticut. The Capt
of the Liberty being on shore, was return
ing to go on board, with his lady, in the
evening, for which purpose he went down
tile Long Wharf They were prevented
from embarking by large assembly Of
people, who were collected on the wharf
The people in riotous manner, demanded
of the Captain that he should send on board
for man, who had fired on the people be-
longing to the Brig, when they attempted
to come on shore in their boat, while the
brig was in the custody of the Liberty. The
Captain complied, end man was brought
on shore, but the people declared he was
not the man, and another was sent for,
when they again declared he was not the
man demanded another and another was
sent for, under the same pretence, until the
sloop was nearly UNNAMED. The popu-
lace then went on board the Liberty aud
little north of the Long Wharf, and there
grounded they then cut away her mast
and threw overheard all her armament,
stores and every thing useful or valuable.
The wreck lay there few days, when there
came high tide, which tloated her, and she
drifted over TO Goat Island, near where the
lighthouse now is, where she was burnt in
the night by the people Of the town."
"Con-- Bowen, ship carpenter who
died many years since, wns the man who
cut away her mast"
When we received this traditionary ac-
count, we we're not aware that any publish
ed account of the transaction, could be
found, of that day, but have been fortunate
enough to find in the Providence Gazette,
and the Newport Mercury, what was then
published.
The first notice we find in the papers of
that time is in the Newport Mercury of
May 22d, 1869, viz. "Last Tuesday, u
Sloop from the w. Indies, belonging to
Providence, in this Colony, was seized by
the officers Of the Liberty, soop of War"
The next we find in the Providence GA
zette, of May 9th, viz. "On Monday ar
rived here his Majesty's armed sloop, Lib.
eriy, Capt. Reid. from Newport"
The next is in the Providence Gazette,
of July 22d, 1869, viz. "The following is
the last aud most circumstantiaI account we
have been able to procure, of the destruction
Of the armed sIoop Liberty, at Newport, on
Wednesday evening last.
"Capt. Reid, commander of the .loop Lib.
erty, having seized Brig and Sloop, be-
longing TO Connecticut, on Monday, he car
ried them both into Newport. On Wednes-
day, the Capt. of the Brig went on board his
vessel for some necessaries, but was inform
that his linen and clothes were removed on
board the Liberty and observing some Of
her hands uubending his sails, he desired
them TO desist, but received the most abu-
sive language in return: He then propos-
ed going on shore, but missing his sword,
civily enquired for the samc and was in
formed BY one Of the hands, that man be-
longing to the Liberty sloop, lay on II, 10
the cabin; upon which the Capt went
down. but was accosted with a volley OF
oa,hs and imprecs,ions He then seized
his sword, which the sloop's men endeavor-
ed to wres, from him, but did not succeed,
md getting into the boat with a couple OF
his hands, was proceeding TO the shore.
The Liberty SIoop was Immediately hailed,
arj informed Of tile affair, when musket
With a brace OF balls. was fired at the boat.
which ncarl, proved fatal to the C.p,a,n.