NJ Pine Barrens Maritime-Culture-Landscape 1 1 2024

Batsto
Mullica River Maritime Cultural Landscape
• The grounding of the British ships October 7, 1778
• Daybreak Commander Colins faced with the decision to follow the original plan and continue up the Little Egg Harbor River and
destroy "The Forks" and the iron works at Batsto or to abort the mission, since the element of surprise had been lost. Local loyalists
came aboard the British flagship, Zebra, and told Collins that Procter's Artillery was on the way. Colins decided to withdraw.
• At noon, the British assembled to withdraw. They had taken and destroyed the prized vessels. Burned all the storehouses and wiped out
the village. Only one British soldier was wounded.
• The British - It was not as easy to leave as they might have hoped. Two of the British ships were aground. Col Ferguson decided to take
his soldiers and raid the north shore and the salt works. They destroyed 2 landings, 3 salt works and 10 buildings owned by patriots.
• October 8, 1778
• The 2 grounded ships were refloated and got underway. H.M.S. Greenwich again became grounded. The H.M.S. Dependance was left
with her for protection and the rest of the ships rejoined the Zebra in the bay. Commander Colins planned to search Barnegat and
Cranbury Inlets on the way back to New York, but the weather continued to worsen and the ships were unable to cross the sand bar.
• October 9 - 18, 1778
• The British capture and unwary American Brigantine with a load of lumber. While they are waiting for better weather they transfer the
lumber to their ships. It took 10 days to transfer all the cargo. During that time a few other American vessels were captured. Still the
British Fleet was unable to put to sea.
• October 12, 1778
• A Hessian Lieutenant named Juliat had deserted the British on September 12 and joined The Pulaski Legion. He was assigned to the
First Troop of Dragoons under Baron Bose. Baron Bose regarded Juliat with contempt for having deserted his post, even if it was with
the enemy. Perhaps to get back at Baron Bose or perhaps he was always loyal to the British. Juliat took several men on a fishing Party.
They did not return and were thought drowned. They had actually rowed the twenty miles and were given permission to board the
H.M.S. Nautilus. The story continues with intrigue. (ref: The Nest of Rebel Pirates, Franklin Kemp)
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