The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-11-21

u pilot. Capt. Read with few brave fell
lows to man his boat, came along side and
offered his services as a pilot 10 conduct
them to New York. His services were
readily accepted, and he took his pos, at
the helm.
The wind favoring his design, he put
her head for his native town, and let her
drive nor was the trick discovered until 1t
was too late. For as they were approach
ing near The place of destination, the prize
master says to the pilot, Sir, we are going
TO New York are wel' The pilot very res
pectlully bowling, answered laconically,
no Sir, no. We are going to Newport"
George w. Babcock, of Narraganset,,
who sailed from Newport, distinguished
hims AS a naval commander, aad fought
some of the most bloody and obstinate bat
ties during the war. In the spring of l779,
he sailed from Boston, and on the 10Th OF
May, he fell in with, and captured (after an
obstinate engagemeni,) n BRITISH privateer
called the Tartar, few days from Cork.
The Tartar mounted twentv-six earring,
guns, with complement of one hundred
and slxty-two men. Capt. Babcock com.
manded the Mifin, of twenty guns, and q
complement of one hundred aud fifty men
But having previously taken and manned
several prizes, the actual number in the en-
gagcment could not exceed one hundred
and twenty men. The crew of the Miffin,
were principally from Newport and Maria
aansett. Her first Lieut.. Mr.. Timothy
CoggeshulI, was an inhabitant Of this Isl
and.
The battle ragged with increasing violence
for several hours, at very short distance,
and before the deadly conflict was hushed,
the vessels were so near each other, that
they could readily jump from one to the
other. But the British flag finally came
down, and Capt. Babcock took possession
of the Tartar. Two days previous 10 this
engagement, he had fallen in with and cap
tured the British store ship Elephant, which
was conveying to. England, large number
of invalids, both officers and privates.
When Capt. Babcock approached the Ele-
phaut, and demanded that her colors be
struck 10 an American prlvateer, her proud
and naughty commander, although he knew
he could make no eifectual resistance, re-
fused to comply.
1t is said that Babcock reasoned with
him aud demonstrated against the unneces-
sary effusion of blood, his obsilnacy would
inevitably involve, for several minutes he
fore he ordered his men to fire. The en-
gagement lasted but few moments before
the flag Of the Elephant was struck; bu
/ those nom ents proved fatal to her com
mander, who fell, with six Of hs crew b,
his side.
The success of Cupt. Babcock and hi
crew, had nearly proved fatal to them
The number Of their prisoners had now 81
increased, as TO render their situation ia
more hazardous than the roar Of the Bri,is
cannon. The only alternative of safet
that presented itself, was, the dIsmssion o
large number of them. Accordingly, af
ter having received bill from the British
officer, acknowledging tie receipt of 81
many prisoners of war, Capt. Babcock pu
them on board prize ship, and left then
to pursue their yoyogc.-The Mffiln nfte
the engagement sailed for France, and thu
Tartar was seni to Boston, where she sub
sequeniIy arrived in safety"
The above account Of Capt. Oliver Read al