Full Historical Report (including famous poem) <A HREF="http://gaspee.org/Knox.htm">Knox: The Destruction of the Gaspee</A> http://gaspee.org/Knox.htm Perhaps we can close this account of the destruction of the 'Gaspee' no more fittingly than by quoting in full a song descriptive of the deed, written by some lively patriot of the time: SONG. ''Twas in the reign of George the Third, Our public peace was much disturbed By ships of war that came and laid Within our ports to stop our trade. Seventeen hundred and seventy-two. In Newport harbor lay a crew, That played the part of pirates there, The sons of freemen could not bear. Sometimes they weighed and gave them chase, Such actions sure were very base. No honest coaster could pass by But what they would let some shot fly; And did provoke, to high degree, Those true born sons of liberty; So that they could no longer bear Those sons of Belial staying there. But 'twas not long 'fore it fell out That William Dudingston, so stout, Commander of the 'Gaspee' tender, Which he has reason to remember, Because, as people do assert, He almost had his just desert, Here on the tenth day of last June, Betwixt the hours of twelve and one, Did chase the sloop; called the 'Hannah,' Of whom one Lindsey was commander. They dogged her up Providence Sound, And there the rascal got aground. The news of it flew that very day, That they on Namquit Point did lay. That night about half after ten Some Narragansett Indian men, Being sixty-four, if I remember, Which made the stout coxcomb surrender; Then set the men upon the land, And burnt her up, we understand; Which thing provoked the king so high He said these men should surely die; So if he could but find them out, The hangman he'll employ, no doubt; For he's declared, in his passion, He'll have them tried a new fashion. Now for to find these people out King George has offered very stout; One thousand pounds to find out one That wounded William Dudingston. One thousand more he says he'll spare, For those who say they sheriffs were: One thousand more there doth remain For to find out the leader's name; Likewise five hundred pounds per man For any one of all the clan. But let them try their utmost skill, I'm apt to think he never will Find out any of those hearts of gold, Though he should offer fifty fold. <A HREF="http://gaspee.org/Knox.htm">Knox: The Destruction of the Gaspee</A>