General Arnold

Posted by LCDR Michael G. Curtis (Ret.) on Saturday 2nd of March 2019 23:55

Homeport: Boston, Massachusetts
On 24 December 1778, Brig General Arnold departed Boston under a Privateer Commission issued by Massachusetts. She was in the company of the Brig Revenge and was headed to the West Indies to raid commerce. However, before she could clear Massachusetts Bay, a Nor'easter struck. Captain Magee headed for Plymouth to seek shelter from the storm. He anchored at the Cow Yards, but the storm intensified. Extraordinary waves and winds caused Brig Arnold to drag anchor and she was pushed onto the soft sand of White Flat. The crew went below decks to shelter from the violent winds and waves which drove the ship deeper and deeper into White Flat. After several hours, the seams gave out and below decks began to flood The 105 crew members and Marines were forced onto the small quarterdeck where the huddled together and began to die in the sub-zero temperatures. By mid day on 28 December 1778, when Plymouth rescuers could finally reach the Brigantine General Arnold, only 34 crew members were alive. Nine of those died within a few days. The deceased are buried in a common grave at Burial Hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts.