Orakabeza (1785 ship)
Orakabeza (or Aracabessa in some United States sources), was launched in 1785 at Hull as a West Indiaman. A French privateer captured and burnt her in a notable incident that violated the neutrality of the United States. Career. "Orakabeza" first appeared "Lloyd's Register" ("LR") in 1786. It gave the name of her master as C.Burton, that of her owner as Burton, Senior, and her trade as Hull, changing to London–Jamaica. Fate. Captain Jonathon Storey loaded "Oracabissa" with sugar and rum at Jamaica and in early October sailed for England. "Oracabissa" ran into a gale that  damaged her masts and caused a leak. She arrived at Charleston around 9 October and crossed the bar on 16 October. On 17 October 1797 a French privateer believed to be "Vortitude" (or "Vertitude" or "Fortitude"), commanded by a Captain Jourdain and belonging to Cape Francois, captured and burnt "Oracabessa" within the bar of Charleston Harbour, in violation of the United States's neutrality. Governor Charles Pinckney forwarded to President John Adams affidavits about the incident. Pinckney stated that he had dispatched the cutter to the scene, but that by the time she arrived "Oracabessa" had burnt and the privateer  had fled. "Lloyd's List" ("LL") reported on 15 December 1797 that a French privateer had burnt "Orracabeza", Storey, master, off Charleston. "Orracabeza" had been sailing from Jamaica to London. Citations and references. Citations References