Sir John Sherbrooke (Halifax) - Fate

Fate

In the autumn of 1814 Sir John Sherbrooke was outward bound from Halifax with a cargo of oil and dried fish. She encountered the American privateer Syren, which captured her and put a prize crew aboard her. However, a British squadron came along and chased Sir John Sherbrooke ashore. The American crew managed to get away with all the valuables on board despite the fire of the British frigate's guns. The frigate sent her boats to attempt a rescue, but gunfire from a nearby fort drove them off. Salvage was impracticable, so Sir John Sherbrooke was set on fire and burned to the water's edge.

Ironically, on 16 November 1814, boats from Spencer and Telegraph, herself a former American privateer, ran Syren ashore under Cape May, where her crew destroyed her.

Read more about this topic:  Sir John Sherbrooke (Halifax)

Famous quotes containing the word fate:

    I have, as when the sun doth light a storm,
    Buried this sigh in wrinkle of a smile;
    But sorrow that is couched in seeming gladness
    Is like that mirth fate turns to sudden sadness.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    The fate of the State decides theirs: clauses of treaties determine their affections.
    Pierre Corneille (1606–1684)

    Narcotics have been systematically scapegoated and demonized. The idea that anyone can use drugs and escape a horrible fate is an anathema to these idiots. I predict that in the near future, right wingers will use drug hysteria as a pretext to set up an international police apparatus.
    Gus Van Sant, U.S. screenwriter and director, and Dan Yost. Father Tom Murphy (William S. Burroughs)