State

В«/ MILTON F. PERRY In every major war in which our country has been engaged, the ex¬ posed coast of North Carolina has been a battlefield or existed under the threat of becoming one. During the Revolution the British occupied Wil¬ mington and a battle was fought at Moore's Creek; in the War With Eng¬ land. 1812-1815, they established a blockade and invaded the sounds on foraging expeditions; during the '60’s Forts Macon, Haitcras and Fisher were the scenes of great encounters; and none of us will ever forget the burning ships and dim-outs of the more recent wars. Yet. almost forgotten are the dep¬ redations of another war — in Europe it was known as the War of the Austrian Secession — but Americans scornfully referred to it as "King George's War." A minor, though in¬ teresting bit of it took place on our coast — a scries of events that bring visions of graceful schooners and The old Hummock or Hammock House at Beaufort, believed to be the oldest still standing, is an interesting example of Havana construction. It is shown on the oldest charts and was used as a navigation marker for ships entering Beaufort Inlet. — (Photo by Jerry Schumacher.) When Pirates Raided Beaufort brigs; of boarding parties brandishing cutlasses and clinching knives between the teeth; of bowing, courteous pi¬ rates; of cursing, sweating, half-naked crewmen; and tales of bravery and heroism. Inevitably, the conflict spread to America, where England and Spain, two of the opponents, had extensive colonies, and hundreds of privateers preyed upon fat, clumsy, merchant vessels. Beaufort in Middle Naturally, these attacks were of par¬ amount interest to the citizens of Beaufort, whose livelihood depended almost completely upon the sea and trade. Beaufort prospered until, by 1750. it was the third ranking port in the North Carolina colony— ex¬ ceeded only by Brunswick and the combined towns of the Albemarle re¬ gion. Great quantities of tar. pitch, turpentine, lumber, hides and fish were exported, and the warehouses were filled with tea, spices, rope, furn¬ iture and cloth from abroad. It was the scat of government and gate to the w-orld for an extensive region. 6 Apparently, the Spanish forays be¬ gan in earnest along our coast in 1741. when they captured Ocracokc and used it for a base of operations. Here, they "killed as much cattle as they needed and tallowed their vessels bottoms" and captured a number of ships rounding Haitcras. As winter ap¬ proached. they abandoned this foot¬ hold and retired to their colonies in the south — boarding ships as they went. Though there was great relief in Beaufort when they vacated Ocracoke, the capture of a schooner off Bogue Banks October 17. 1741, "bv a Span¬ ish Privateer with 80 Men." though signaling the retirement southward, seemed to be a harbinger for the next year. Hardly had the winter gales sub¬ sided when uncomforting reports reached the town that the coast "swarmed with Spanish Privateers who arc very active and vigilant." More English ships fell prey, sorely pressing the British gu;ird ship at Brunswick. The raids set a regular pat¬ tern — reaching a peak during the sum¬ mer. almost completely stopping in winter. There were definite privateer¬ ing seasons "anytime between April and October," and the hard-pressed Royal Navy could not spare adequate ships to run down the elusive fili¬ busters. Victors Surrender The attacks reached a peak in 1747. the raiders becoming so bold as to electrify the colony with fears for its safety. They began with a most un¬ usual encounter. The schooner "Sar¬ ah." bound from Honduras to Boston was taken on January 10 by "two Spanish Privateers, Capts. Besent & Lomann." A prize crew’ of four men was placed aboard the "Sarah" which was to follow its capturers. However, "having no instruments on board” for navigation, the four Spaniards surren¬ dered to the English crew and allowed the vessel to be taken to Bear Inlet near Beaufort. The prisoners were kept in the Wilmington gaol until they could be exchanged. Soon another alarming report from the south reached Beaufort. A mari¬ ner who had been in St. Augustine dur- THE STATE. JUNE 27. 1953