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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Barrie Green on Wednesday 15 February 12 02:45 GMT (UK)
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Where can I find details of the skirmish with Capt. John Smith of the ship, the Tartar and his destroying of the French privateer, "Confiance En Dieu" at Smyrna, Turkey on 13th April 1779.
I have images of the 2 Cups awarded, called the Tartar Cups by family, the inscriptions etc, but also have queries about the 1000 guineas which was in each Cup. Was it divided amongst the crew etc? So many people are asking me.
Faith
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I have just been reading a document from the National Archives at Kew (London) SP 105/337. on p.154 the records of the English Factory at Smyrna thank "Captain John Smith of the British Ship Tartar for his exemplary, prudent and spirited behaviour on the 15th past (March) in defeating with great bravery the attempts of a French vessel called the Confiance au Dieu (Captain Beaude) fitted onto clandestinely this fort the night before with 22 guns & near 150 men in order to board and make prize of the Tartar when she attacked within gunshot of St. Giacomo's Fort on the entrance to the bay, when after an engagement of near half an hour a shot from the Tartar set fire to the powder room which blew up part of the ship, & occasioned her being entirely burned & 47 persons were sent to the French Hospital in a most shocking condition, few of whom are likely to recover, 22 only escaping unhurt, the remainder having perished in the course of the action & by the explosion. And as Captain Smith's conduct and that of his company, consisting only of 19 men, cannot be sufficiently commended . . ." I see nothing about a" presentation of cups."
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Wikipedia has an entry for the 28 gun frigate HMS Tartar 1756 to 1797. It doesn't mention the action with the French privateer Confiance de Dieu 1779 not that that means anything. Captain mentioned in 1779 was Baillie.
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Thank you both, Rothburyrose and Regorian for your information about the 'Tartar' and the time you have spent forwarding it to me. Believe me, down here in New Zealand we are so appreciative of the help which researchers nearer to sites sift out and send us.
I have checked the inscriptions given on the Tartar Cups (probably named as such for clarity of descendants and I have found them referred to in that way in several generations of Wills) and on one Cup the description stops approx. about the mention you found at 'entrance to the bay'.
So all the rest is either new to me or in bits of other data found by another researcher some years ago. So I am most appreciative of all the other details.
The other Cup was presented by Sir Robert Ainslee Knight, Ambassador and the British Factory etc. with a similar description.
Grateful thanks to you both and Happy New Year!
Faith.
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Happy New Year, and glad you are happy with info. I think there was not just one British factory, Aleppo is mentioned as well. Parts of the Levant Company. I am no kind of expert on this subject.
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Glad it was useful. If I find a letter reference to "cups" I will, of course, post it.
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As to cups, in those days it was quite common to make a presentaion to a Navy ship for services rendered. No doubt the Frenchie was intent on burning the Smyrna factory.
Not sure about the 2,000 guineas, that would be millions in todays money.
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The 2000 guineas horse race at Newmarket was first run in 1809, seems the rich were very rich then :) :)
Mike
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ADM 7-317
20 and 21
Tartar
Not sure how much information you have but a vessel and captain of the same name had a letter of marque against the American colonies -however there were many ships names Tartar and many Captain Smiths -but a great story www.1812privateers.org
Master-Smith John
Tonngae-250
Arms-18x 4&6lbs
Crew-60
Sq. stern three
masts
trade
Port-London
owners-Cazslet & Cook
Letter of marque dated-1777-04-09
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Thank you gules for your data and have added it to all the bits and pieces about Capt. John Smith's 'Tartar'. No more data has been found about the 'Cups' but I have been sent several accounts of Capt. John Smith's drowning with 3 of his men on 24 March 1797 off the coast of Scilly when his boat, while going from the shore to the 'Lord Mulgrave' of which he was the Commander, was overturned by a violent gust of wind etc. So I have been able to tidy up that part of his life.
Kind regards - Faith
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Unfortunately I don’t have a copy of the Declaration for the Tartar as I only had time to photograph vessels from Scottish ports. However I did find mentions to both vessels in Lloyds List I’ve put the images online.
http://www.1812privateers.org/LL%20Tartar-Lord%20Mulgrave.jpg
Look in the “The Marine List” section
An excellent source for maritime information is
http://www.maritimearchives.co.uk/
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A lovely bit of extra data - thank you gules, all these bits and pieces are so valuable - and to see the 'Lord Mulgrave' mentioned as well!
In appreciation, Faith.