Come and ask, answer or inform.
Mercury | 12354 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal Guns | 14 | HLP | |
| Nationality | Great Britain | ||
| Operator | Private Owners | ||
| Extant | 1756 | HLP | |
| First Commissioned | 3.10.1756 | HLP | |
| Home Port | Liverpool - Lancashire | HLP | |
| Shipyard | Unknown | HLP | |
| Category | Privateer | HLP | |
| Ship Type | Unknown | HLP | |
| Last known | 1758 | HLP | |
In company with the Bellona took a Spanish snow.
HCA26Engaged a French ship of 22 guns at latitude 43 40', longitude 11 10'
HLPOn the 16th of December, we gave chase to a French ship of 22 guns, in latitude 43 40', longitude n 10', which we came up with about 12 o'clock at noon (after having fired 10 rounds of our bow-chase guns, nine-pounders, which they answered with their stern-chase), and engaged broadside and broadside for five glasses. They shot away all our standing rigging, wounded both our lower masts, and carried away our Troysail mast; hulled us in several places between wind and water, and an unlucky shot struck us four feet under water. We very soon had seven feet water in the hold, and expected to sink every minute, the water being level with our platform, and all our water casks afloat in the hold, which hindered us from plugging the hole in the inside; upon which we struck, and called out for quarter, but the enemy kept a continued fire into us, which determined us to throw all our guns over-board, whilst part of our people were baling the water out of the hatchway. Soon after the Frenchmen hove out a signal of distress, but we could not assist one another, and I believe never two ships were in a more shattered condition, for they appeared to be as much disabled as ourselves. If it had not been for that unfortunate shot, I believe we should have taken her. Four of my men are killed and thirteen wounded. I have received a shot in both legs, and have not been able to turn myself in my hammock since. I am more concerned for the loss of my cruise than my own wounds; and if it please God to spare my life, and one leg, I will have the other knock at the French. As soon as the ship is in condition I shall return to Liverpool.
Commander: John Gachan.
Ship: Mercury Privateer.
Burden: 150 tons.
Crew: 130.
Owners: James Gilbert, Bartholomew Sherlock, Richard Trafford, Thomas Wakefield and John Hutton of Liverpool, merchants.
Lieutenant: George Fowler.
Gunner: Jacob Brick.
Boatswain: Andrew Tomkins.
Carpenter: Thomas Richards.
Surgeon: Thomas Thomas.
Cook: James MacKay.
Armament: 16 carriage guns.
Commander: John Giles.
Ship: Mercury.
Burden: 120 tons.
Crew: 120.
Owners: James Gildart, Bartholmew Sherlock, Richard Trafford, Thomas Wakefield and John Hulton of Liverpool, merchants.
Lieutenant: George Fowler.
Gunner: Jacob Brick.
Boatswain: Andrew Tomkins.
Carpenter: Thomas Richards.
Surgeon: James MacKay.
Cook: Thomas Thomas.
Armament: 14 carriage and 20 swivel guns.
Folio: 73