Essex Village in Middlesex County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Warship Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Connecticut Warship
In the Revolution
1776
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.
Location. 41° 21.054′ N, 72° 23.11′ W. Marker is in Essex, Connecticut, in Middlesex County. It is in Essex Village. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Novelty Lane, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Essex CT 06426, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. It Happened Here! (within shouting distance of this marker); British Raid 1814 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Onrust (within shouting distance of this marker); Essex (approx. ¼ mile away); Essex Square (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hills Academy (approx. half a mile away); Early Essex Village (approx. half a mile away); Essex Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Essex.
Regarding Warship Oliver Cromwell. The Oliver Cromwell captured numerous ships during her short career before being herself captured. Various sources yield conficting information about the Oliver Cromwell. Likely, the most accurate is from the London Gazette, published on 29 July 1777:
Admiralty-Office, August 2, 1777.
The following is an Extract of a Letter from Captain Jones, of His Majest’s Sloop the Beaver, of 14 Six Pounders, and 125 Men, to Mr. Stephens.
Dated at St. Kitts the 12th of June, 1777.
I Beg you will be pleased to acquaint their Lordships, that on the 18th ult. near the Island St. Lucia, and then going to Tobago for the homewardbound Trade, I fell in with and engaged a Privateer of the Rebels, and that in Less than three Quarters of an Hour, under a very close Fire, she yielded to the superior Valour and good Order of my Officers and Men.
She proved to be their Capital Ship in these Seas, and the second best fitted out of America, carries 24 Guns, of which 14 are Nine Pounders, 10 Swivels, 10 Cohorns, and 150 Men ; has Ports to all her Guns, and fights her Men under Cover, and is named the Oliver Cromwell, Herman Courter, Commander.
We had the good Fortune not to loose a Man, and had only 3 wounded, with little or no Damage to the Rigging, &c.
On the Rebels Side 20 Men were killed, and 20 wounded : Her Rigging, Masts and Sails much cut and hurt.
Also see . . .
1. Oliver Cromwell in History Of Maritime Connecticut During The American Revolution. (Submitted on June 2, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Oliver Cromwell Launched – Today in History: June 13. Connecticut History.org (Submitted on October 21, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 767 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 2, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 3. submitted on October 21, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.