A half-century of conflict. France and England in North America. Part ...

1745.] THE NEW ENGLAND NAVY, 83for launching. She was rapidly fitted for her newdestination, converted into a frigate, mounted with24 guns, and named the "Massachusetts." The restof the naval force consisted of the ship " Csesar, " of20 guns ; a vessel called the " Shirley, " commandedby Captain Rous, and also carrying 20 guns ;another,of the kind called a "snow," carrying 16 guns; onesloop of 12 guns, and two of 8 guns each; the"Boston Packet," of 16 guns; two sloops from Connecticutof 16 guns each; a privateer hired in RhodeIsland, of 20 guns; the government sloop "Tartar,"of the same colony, carrying 14 carriage guns and 12swivels; and, finally, the sloop of 14 guns whichformed the navy of New Hampshire.^It was said,with apparent reason, that one or twoheavy French ships-of-war — and a number ofsuchwas expected in the spring — would outmatch thewhole colonial squadron, and, after mastering it,would hold all the transports at mercy; so that thetroops on shore, having no means of return and nohope of succor, would be forced to surrender orstarve. The danger was real and serious, and Shirleyfelt the necessity of help from a few Britishships-ofwar.Commodore Peter Warren was then with asmall squadron at Antigua.Shirley sent an expressboat to him with a letter stating the situation andasking his aid. Warren, who had married anAmerican woman and who owned large tracts ofland on the Mohawk, was known to be a warm friend1 The list is given by Williamson, ii. 227.