Gustavus Conyngham

Gustavus Conyngham

Gustavus Conyngham (about 1744 – 27 November 1819) was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and was a merchant sea captain, officer in the Continental Navy and a privateer.

Service in the Revolution

Conyngham worked for the Philadelphia merchant firm of Conyngham and Nesbitt, commanding the merchant brig "Charming Peggy" in 1775. At the outbreak of the American Revolution, the Secret Committee of the Continental Congress commissioned the "Charming Peggy" to France to load "powder, saltpeter, arms, medicines, and everything necessary for War." His activities were common knowledge; thus when Conyngham departed, the Royal Navy easily captured the ship. However, Conyngham and his crew retook the ship and sailed her for a Dutch port where she was immediately seized.

Conyngham sought and, on 1 March 1777, obtained a captain's commission from Benjamin Franklin in the Continental Navy. Conyngham met up with American agent William Hodge in Dunkirk, where the pair selected and purchased the merchantman "Admiral Pocock" for 12,000 livres. Renaming her the "Surprise"), he captured two British merchantmen within the first week of cruising. However, the prizes were sent to the neutral port of Dunkirk where French authorities promptly confiscated the vessels and returned them to British hands, summarily seizing the "Surprise" and selling her. British authorities demanded custody of Conyngham who was held by the French for a short period, but was released.

Soon afterward, Conyngham was again with agent Hodge surveying prospective ships, this time selecting the cutter "Greyhound". "Greyhound" was renamed "Revenge" and armed with 14 guns. Once again the neutrality of French ports were called into question, initiating demands that Conyngham agree to sail his vessel back to the United States, which Conyngham nominally agreed to. However, on 17 July, 1777, the "Revenge" sneaked away from Dunkirk to raid British shipping. Cruising over the northern tip of Scotland and down the Irish Sea into the Atlantic, 20 ships were captured or destroyed.

Now, Conyngham looked to a new port and country of call, namely Spain. Once again, the captain proved lucky and successful taking prizes in the approximate range of 20. However, Conyngham made the mistake of capturing the neutral Swedish merchantman "Henrica Sophia". The Spanish court condemned the flagrant disregard of international maritime law, causing the "Revenge" to head for West Indian waters where Conyngham took five prizes.

In January 1779, the Marine Committee within the Continental Congress ordered Conyngham to appear before them in Philadelphia on charges of haphazard law infringement and, worse, not paying his crew. Faced with bad bookkeeping, Conyngham appeared guilty of the charges lodged, leading to the auctioning of the "Revenge". But the new owner was Conyngham and Nesbitt, his old firm of merchant employ. As the captain of the new privateer, sadly for Conyngham, the "Revenge" was captured not long out by the British frigate "Galatea". The British accused Conyngham of operating as commander of the "Surprise" without a commission, a charge Conyngham could not refute as his commission had been seized by the French along with the "Surprise" herself. So, the British jailed him in Mill Prison in England. In November 1779, Conyngham and 50 American prisoners escaped by tunneling, after which he met up with John Paul Jones of the Continental ship "Alliance" (36). Conyngham made his way back to Spain where he attempted to gain passage home on the tartar "Experiment", but the ship was likewise captured, sending the unfortunate Conyngham back to Mill Prison.

He was finally released in June 1781 and remained unemployed for the duration of the Revolution.

1782-1819

He returned to the merchant service and commanded the armed brig "Maria" during the Quasi-War with France.

As a member of the Common Council of Philadelphia, he assisted in the defense of that city during the War of 1812.

Captain Conyngham died at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was interred at St. Peter's Churchyard.

Three ships in the United States Navy have been named USS "Conyngham" for him.

External links

* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11841432 Gustavus Conyngham] at Find A Grave


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Conyngham — can refer to: People Barry Conyngham (born 1944), Australian composer and academic Dalton Conyngham (1897 1979), South African cricketer David Hayfield Conyngham (1750 1834), trustee of the University of Pennsylvania Elizabeth Conyngham,… …   Wikipedia

  • Conyngham, Pennsylvania —   Borough   …   Wikipedia

  • Conyngham, Gustavus — ▪ United States naval officer born c. 1747, County Donegal, Ire. died Nov. 27, 1819, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.       American naval officer who fought the British in their own waters during the American Revolution.       Conyngham was taken to… …   Universalium

  • USS Conyngham (DDG-17) — For other ships of the same name, see USS Conyngham. USS Conyngham (DDG 17) Career (US) …   Wikipedia

  • USS Conyngham (DD-371) — The second USS Conyngham (DD 371) was a sclass|Mahan|destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Gustavus Conyngham.History Conyngham was launched 14 September 1934 by Boston Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. A. C. G.… …   Wikipedia

  • USS Conyngham (DD-58) — The first USS Conyngham (DD 58), named for Gustavus Conyngham, was a Tucker class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I. She later served in the United States Coast Guard as CG 2. Conyngham was launched 8 July 1915 by William… …   Wikipedia

  • USS Conyngham — Three ships in the United States Navy have been named USS Conyngham for Gustavus Conyngham.* The USS|Conyngham|DD 58, was a Tucker class destroyer, commissioned in 1915, served in World War I, decommissioned in 1922, transferred to the United… …   Wikipedia

  • Francis Conyngham, 2nd Marquess Conyngham — Francis Nathaniel Conyngham, 2nd Marquess Conyngham, KP, GCH, PC (11 June 1797 ndash; 17 July 1879), styled Lord Francis Conyngham between 1816 and 1824 and Earl of Mount Charles between 1824 and 1832, was the second son of the 1st Marquess… …   Wikipedia

  • USS Revenge (1777) — The second USS Revenge was a cutter in the Continental Navy and later a privateer. Revenge was purchased at Dunkirk, France, for Continental service in the spring or summer of 1777 by William Hodge, an agent of the American commissioners to… …   Wikipedia

  • American Revolution — the war between Great Britain and its American colonies, 1775 83, by which the colonies won their independence. * * * or United States War of Independence (1775–83) War that won political independence for 13 of Britain s North American colonies,… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”