Combat· American Revolutionary War
Trumbull vs HMS Watt
On June 1, 1780, the Continental frigate Trumbull fought the 36-gun British letter of marque Watt in the Atlantic, in what her captain of Marines called a drawn battle.
Trumbull, under Captain James Nicholson, had been ordered to sea late in May. She carried about 30 Marines under Captain Gilbert Saltonstall, with David Bill, Jabez Smith, Jr., and Daniel Starr appointed lieutenants. The ships began to engage at one o'clock and fought within pistol shot for two and a half hours. Saltonstall wrote that the Marines fired pistols and near 1200 rounds. Trumbull's rigging was shot away, and the Watt hauled her wind with her pumps going. Among the 13 officers and men killed in Trumbull were Marine Lieutenants Bill, Smith, and Starr and Marine Sergeant Ezekial Hyatt. Bill died instantly in the first few minutes, and Starr died on June 5. About 30 men were wounded, among them Saltonstall. The Watt got into New York on June 11, and Trumbull reached Nantasket on June 14.
Record no. 145