Rambles about Portsmouth. Sketches of persons, localities, and incidents of two centuries: principally from tradition and unpublished documents. By Charles W. Brewster.

288 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH.
years for indemnity. The enemy lost more men in their
attempt to capture her, than in some actions where fleets
were engaged. She was scuttled by her own crew.
These private armed vessels appear to have carried
almost invariably a " Long Tom," and besides, from 2 to
18 guns, and from 50 to 150 men. New York had 26 afloat,
scouring the seas, Baltimore 18, at one time, in the early
part of the war; while Newport, Charleston, Boston, Newburyport, Bristol, New London, Salem, Portsmouth and
other ports had their share.
They were commissioned by the United States " to take,
burn, sink and destroy the enemy wherever he could be
found, either on the high seas or in British Ports."
But the object of this article is merely to give Portsmouth as recorded.
1812,-Ship Richmond, 14 guns, 25 men besides officers,
400 tons, deeply laden with W. India produce, worth
$200,000, was captured on a voyage from Jamaica to London, snd sent into Portsmouth by the Privateer Thomas.
Ship Falmouth, 14 guns, 30 men, from Jamaica for Bristol,
(E.) with a cargo valued at $200,000, was captured by the
Thomas of this Port and sent into Portsmouth, Aug. 18,
1812. The privateer sch. Thomas, Capt. Shaw, 11 guns and
100 men, and Privateer sloop Science, Fernald, sailed from
this port on a cruise. Two other Privateers vwere fitting out
at the same time. Sch. Phoebus and Phebe sent into Portsmouth by the Squando of that Port. The Squando was
only a pink stern schooner.'I'he English brig Resolution arrived at Portland a prize
to the privateer Nancy of Portsmouth.
Barque Fisher fiomn Rio with a very valuable cargo and
considerable spice was sent into Portland by the Fox of
Portsmouth.
1813-Brig Mars, from Jamaica for Halifax, sent into
Portsmouth by the Fox. [This was afterwards the privateer Mars.]
Ship Dromo, 12 guns, from Liverpool for Halifax, with a
cargo valued'at $70,000, was sent into Wiscasset by the
Thomas, of Portsmouth.