Combat· American Revolutionary War
Hancock & Boston vs HMS Fox
On June 7, 1777, off the Banks of Newfoundland, the Continental frigates Hancock and Boston met and captured the British frigate Fox, 28 guns.
Hancock, Captain John Manley, had sailed from Boston on May 21, 1777, in company with Boston, Captain Hector McNeill. After several hours in chase Hancock drew alongside and fought a short action, and Boston closed 45 minutes later. Captain Patrick Fotheringham then hauled down his colors. McNeill sent his two lieutenants of Marines, John Harris and Robert McNeill, aboard the prize to maintain order among the enemy crew. In July, eastward of Cape Sable, three British ships came up astern: Rainbow, 44, the frigate Flora, 32, and the 18-gun brig Victor. Manley struck to Rainbow on July 8, and Captain of Marines Seth Baxter and Lieutenant William Bubier went with him as prisoners. Fox ran aground after heavy action with Flora, and Lieutenants Harris and McNeill were captured and sent into Halifax. Boston escaped into the Sheepscot River on the Maine coast.
Record no. 132