Officers and Men of HMS Greenwich at Cape François, 1757
Cape Francois, 1759
“Kingston [Jamaica], June 4. Tuesday Evening arrived at Port-Royal, Mr. Perin Trott, late Surgeon’s Mate of the Greenwich, from Cape-Francois. He escaped by breaking the Goal there, on the 18 ult. in Company with two other Gentlemen; they seized a Fishing Canoe on the Beach, in which they immediately embarked.
Mr. Trott says, there were at the Cape, when they came away, one Frigate of 30 Guns, together with the Greenwich, which lay there as a Guard-ship, though more resembling a Hulk, she having lost her Top-mast, and most of her standing Rigging, in the late Engagement, which began at 10 in the Morning, and lasted ‘till 9 at Night, during which Engagement the gallant Capt. Rhoddam [Robert Roddam, 1719-1808)] was the whole Time upon Deck, notwithstanding being attacked by two 74, one 64, and one French Frigate of 36 Guns: The Enemy fired wholly at his Rigging, and as they fired high, he had only a few Men wounded; but the Greenwich killed and wounded many of the French. Capt. Rhoddam, we hear, will soon be sent down to this Island.
There has been a Duel between Mr. Perkins, late Captain of the Marines, and Mr. Wallace, late Third Lieutenant of the Greenwich, at Cape Francois: The Gentlemen, to shew their Courage, agreed to fight with Pistols, Toe to Toe; by which Resolution, a Ball entered the lower Part of Capt. Perkin’s Belly, which went through his Body; Mr. Wallace received another, which passed under the lower Rib, and went through his Body also; they were immediately conveyed to the French Hospital, but no Englishman was suffered to come near them; so we fear the Lives of those brave young Officers, will be unfortunately lost.
There are upwards of 500 English Prisoners in that small and most wretched deplorable Goal of Cape-Francois, and what with their close Confinement, (not one being allowed the least Privilege of walking out) together with other cruel Treatment, short Allowance of bad Provisions, and uncommon barbarity to the Sick, render them Objects of the greatest Pity and Compassion; and if some Method is not speedily taken for their Relief, they will all inevitably perish.”
—Pennsylvania Gazette, 4 August 1757.
Posted in dueling, French West Indies, Royal Navy, Seven Years' War |
