Eastern times., 1856-03-27
Sfltstellanp.
First American Sea Fight.

ASb 0nAOA4CeiA OCt hI.
Within twenty years after the settlement of
Plymouth, shipbuilding and navigation began
to occupy much of the attention of New Eng
land, and as every vessel of any size carried
many Light guns, the navigation of that period
had most of the characteristics of an armed
trade. In addition TO the ships and barks that
crossed the ocean, many decked boats or small
soops were used on the coast, especially by
those who dealt with the Indians for skins
The first engagement that probably ever oc-
Cured between inhabitants of the American
colonies and enemies afloat, was conflict be-
tween John Gallop, who was engaged in
trade of this nature. in sloop of twenty tons,
and some Narragansett Indians, who had seiz-
ed upon small vessel belonging to person
of the name of Oldham, known to have been
similarly occupied. AS this, in certain
sense, may be deemed the earliest sea fight of
the nation, consider it worthy to be relat-
ed f-s..
Some time in May 1886, Gallop, in his lit
tie sloop manned by two men and two boys,
himself included, was standing along the
Sound, near Plum Island, when he was COM
PEELED 10 bear up by stress of weather for
refuge, TO leeward, among the Islands that form
a chain between Long Island and Connecticut.
On nearing the land he discovered vessel
similar to his own in size and equipments,
which was Immediately recognized as the pin
mace of Mr.. Oldham, who had sailed with a
crew of two white boys and two Narraganseit
Indians Galop hailed on nearing the other
craft, but got no answer, and on running still
nearer, no less than fourteen Indians were dis
covered lying on her deck. A canoe convey
Just started for the shore. Gallop now began
! TO suspect that Oldham had been overpowered
| by the savages, a suspicion that was confirmed
| by the Indians slipping their cable and running
! off before the wind, or in the direction of Mar
ragansett Bay. . Satisfied that robbery had
! been committed Gallop made sail in chase,
and running alongside the pinnace in a spirit
| ed manner, he fired volley of duck shot at
the savages. The latter had swords, spears
and some fire arms, and they attempted re-
4 sistance, but Gallop soon drove them below 10
man. Afraid TO board in the face of such
| odds, Gallop now had recourse 10 novel ex-
pedient to dslodge his enemies. AS the pin
mace was drifting with no one to manage her,
she soon fell to leeward, while the sloop
-, Al h,, ,bo, A. he tro
sells were far enough asunder, Gallop put his
helm up, and ran directly down on the weather
quarter of the pnnace, striking her with so
much violence as to come near forcing her
over on her side. The shock 50 much alarmed
the Indians, who were on an element and in a
craft they did not understand that six of them
ran franlically on deck, and leaped into the
sea where they were all drowned. The sloop
again hauled off, when Gallop lashed an an
chor to her bows in such manner that by
running down on the pinnace second time, he
forced the fukes through the sides of the lat
ter which are represented as having been made
Of boards.
-
er, and the crew of the sloop began to fire
through the sides of the pnnace into her hold.
Finding it impossible, however. 10 drive his
enemies up, Gallop loosened his fasts and
hauled up to windward third time, when four
or five more Of the enemy jumped overheard
and shared the fate of those who had preceded
them. One Indian now appeared on deck and
offered TO submit. Gallop ran alongside and
received him in the sloop and bound him. An
other soon followed this example, and he was
also received on board the sloop and bound,
but fearful that if these two willy foes were
permitted to commune together, they would
liberate themselves, the second prisoner was
thrown into The sea. But two Indians now
remained in the pinnace. They had got a
small apartment below, and being armed, they
showed . disposition to defend themselves