HALIFAX, LOUISBURG, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA, 1755, BOSCAWEN, ENGLISH FLEET, TILBERIA

1755


 
News Items Related to the Amercian Colonies

9th August, Halifax, Nova-Scotia

We make a most grand Appearance in our Harbour, such a Fleet was never before in America; there are Eleven Sail of the Line, with several small Ships. Admiral Holbourne, with Six Ships is cruizing off Louisbourg; and Capt. Rous, with Two Twenty Gun Ships and a Sloop, sailed from hence a few Days ago, on a secret Expedition; 'tis thought to dispossess the French of a small Settlement in the Westermost Part of Newfoundland, where we have heard some Vessels from the Continent, have been so villainous as to carry Provisions, from whence the French carry it to Louisbourg. Our Fleet has taken a Snow bound from France to Cape Breton, loaded with Provisions; nor will it be possible for any of their Vessels to get in whilst our Fleet is upon the Coast; nor is it unlikely, in Case their should be a War, that another Attempt would be made on Louisbourg. We are now upon a great and noble Scheme of sending the neutral French out of this Province, who have always been secret Enemies, and have encouraged our Savages to cut our Throats. If we effect their Expulsion, it will be one of the greatest Things that ever the English did in America; for by all the Accounts, that Part of the Country they possess, is as good Land as any in the World; In Case therefore we could get some good English Farmers in their Room, this Province would abound with all Kinds of Provisions.

17th August, Halifax, Nova Scotia

This Day sailed out of the Harbour, Three of his Majesty's Ships of War, in Order, 'tis thought to join Admiral Holbourne.

A few Days since, Three French Men were taken up and imprisoned, on Suspicion of having poisoned some of the Wells in this Neighbourhood.

They are not tried as yet; and 'tis imagined if they are convicted thereof they will have but a few Hours to live after they are once condemned.

With the Blessing of God, we are at present, plentifully stock'd with all Kinds of Provisions; whilst our Neighbours, the Cape Britoners, have felt in a surprizing Degree, the Effects of the several Prohibitions on the Continent, being now in a most deplorable Condition for Want of the common Necessaries of Life, and afflicted with various Kinds of Diseases.

The Two French Men of War seized and brought in here by Boscawen's Squadron in June last, have now English Pendants flying, and all their Guns mounted; and the Command of the Lys of 74 Guns, is given to Capt. Amherst, who lately commanded the Mars, and that of the Alcide, 'tis supposed will be given to the first Lieutenant of the Torbay.

The Officers of the Navy, as well as those in the military Service, and every Individual in this Province, were extremely alarmed and shocked on hearing of the Defeat of General Braddock, and the Circumstances attending that unhappy and unlooked for Overthow, seemingly exaggerates the whole Affair.

 
 
The North American Fleet

A List of his Majesty's Fleet under the Command of the Honorable Edward Boscawen, Esq.; Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and Commander in Chief in and about North-America

Ships' NamesGunsMen  Commanders
- Eleven Third Rates -
Torbay74720  Honorable Edward BOSCAWEN, Vice-Admiral
Captain Charles COLBY
Monarch74715  Savage MOYSTYN, Esq., Rear-Admiral of the White
Captain Abraham NORTH
Terrible74715  Francis HOLBOURNE, Esq., Rear-Admiral of the Blue
Captain William HOLBOURNE
Northumberland70520  Right Honorable Lord COLVILL
Grafton70520  Charles HOLMES
Edinburgh70520  Thomas STANHOPE
Somerset74520  Francis GEARY
Chichester64520  John BRETT
Yarmouth64520  Harry NORRIS
Fougeux64520  Richard SPRY
Mars64520  John AMHERST
vessel lost 24th June coming in
- Eight Fourth Rates -
Dunkirk60420  Honorable Richard HOW
Anson60420  Robert MANN
Defiance60420  Thomas ANDREWS
Nottingham60400  Samuel MARSHALL
Augusta60400  William Saltern WILLETT
Centurion54400  William MANUEL
Norwich50330  Honorable Samuel BARRINGTON
Litchfield50330  Matthew BARTON
 ________   
19 Sail of the Line  1 206  9 410   
 
Name Guns  Captain
- Nine Frigates -
Garland 20  Marriot ARBUTHNOT
Syren 20  Charles PROBY
Port Mahon 20  Robert HUGHES
Mermaid 20  Washington SHIRLEY
Success 20  John ROUS
Sea-Horse 20  Hugh PALLISER
Nightingale 20  Dudley DIGGES
Arundel 20  Thomas HANKERSON
Gibraltar 20  John HOLLWALL
- Four Sloops -
Jamaica    Samuel HOOD
Hornet    Sampson SALT
Vulture    William KINSEY
(dead, now Capt. SCASE)
Baltimore    Maurice SUCKLING
- One Tender -
Bacchus    Thomas ALLEN

 
 
From the 'London Magazine' May 1755

Number of British Subjects, Men, Women, and Children, in the Colonies of North-America, taken from Militia Rolls, Poll-Taxes, Bills of Mortality, Returns from Governors, and other authentick Authorities

The Colonies ofInhabitants
Halifax and Lunenburg, in Nova-Scotia5 000
New-Hampshire30 000
Massachusets-Bay220 000
Rhode-Island and Providence35 000
Connecticut100 000
New-York100 000
The Jerseys60 000
Pennsylvania250 000
Maryland85 000
Virginia85 000
North-Carolina45 000
South-Carolina30 000
Georgia6 000
 _________
Total Number1 051 000

 

Return to HMS Tilbury