Whatever the Barge Fearnought was, it would appear that she was large as she had 50 men initially in 1782 then 36 later on plus three officers two warrants and a steward. She had a 6-pounder bow gun. The following documents may be of interest. The State of Maryland to Edward Spedden, Gentleman, Greeting. Be it known that We reposing especial trust and Confidence in your Patriotism valour Conduct and Fidelity, do by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Second Lieutenant of the Barge Fearnought in the Service of this State, fitted out for repelling every hostile invasion thereof, and for the Defence of our Liberties. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Second Lieutenant of the said Barge by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging, according to the rules and Discipline of War, and the usage of the Sea, and the Instructions which may from Time to Time be given you. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers, Seamen, Marines, and others under your Command, to be Obedient to your Orders as Second Lieutenant of the said Barge and you are to observe and follow all such Orders and Directions which you shall receive from the Supreme Executive Power of this State. This Commission to be in force until Lawf! ully revoked. Given at Annapolis in Council this 23rd Day of May, A. D. 1782. ROLL OF THE BARGE FEARNOUGHT. CAPT. SPEDDING. THE NAMES TIME LAST PLACE OF RESIDENCE COMPLEC- OF MEN OF AND PLACE OF THEIR BIRTH. STATURE. TION. ENLISTED FOR INLISTMENT. THE BARGE "FEARNOUGHT." Robert Burch 27 May Talbot County 5.5 Dark Wm. L. Merrick 27 " " 5.5 " George Willson 27 Caroline County 5.8 Fair Thomas Moore 27 " " 5.11 " John Shipperd 28 Talbot " 5.6 " Thos. Shenin 28 " " 5.8 " John Stuart 28 " " 5.6 Dark Henry Buckly 28 " " 5.9 Fair Levi Neighbours 28 " " 5.7 " Thos. Ewbanks 28 " " 6.0 " John Jacobs, Jr. 28 " " 5.6 Dark Thos. Chapman " " " James Fleming 28 " " 5.11 Fair Zadok Harvey 29 Caroline " 5.10 Dark Chas. Price 29 Talbot " 5.10 Fair Richard Eaton 29 " " 6.0 Dark Wm. Lee 29 " " 6.2 Fair Wm. Low 30 " " 5.7 " Thos. Perry 1 June Caroline " 5.6 " Henry Perry 1 " " 5.6 " Joseph Bush 1 Talbot County 5.10 1/2 Dark Nehemiah Beckwith 1 Dorset " 5.7 " David Davis 1 " " 5.11 " James Frazier 1 " " 5.9 " Wm. Frazier 1 " " 5.10 " John Thomas, Jr. 1 " " 5.5 1/2 " Saml. Abbet 1 Talbot " 5.11 Fair George Price 1 " " 5.5 " Sails Canner 1 " " 5.10 Dark Thos. Richardson 2 " " 5.10 Fair Emmory Collins Caroline " 5.6 Dark Saml. Farrow 4 " " 5.8 Fair Jacob Jackson 4 Queen Ann's County 5.5 Dark Henry Powel 4 Caroline " 5.8 1/2 " James Neighbours 4 Talbot " 5.5 Fair James Crouch 5 " " 5.5 Dark Rich. Ewbanks 11 " " 5.10 Fair James Collins 11 Caroline " 6.1 " William Murphy 12 " " 5.9 Dark William Rumble 15 " " 5.9 " John Thomas 16 Dorset " 5.7 " John Wheelor 1 " " 5.10 " William Wiliby 30 " " 6.4 Fair William Navy 10 " " 5.8 Dark John Frazier 7 July " " 6.1 " Rich. Smith 22 Baltimore Town, 5.8 Fair born in Balto. County Gideon Gambrel 15 June Caroline County 5.7 " Daniel Oneal 26 July Annapolis, 5.10 Dark born in New England George Gore 26 Annapolis, 5.8 " born in New England John Faris(or Fanis) 29 Talbot County [Each was paid £3 bounty except Richard Eaton, John Thomas and George Gore, who were paid £3.15. Each enlisted for one year except William Navy and George Gore, who enlisted to Jan. 1st, 1783.] A Pay Roll of the Officers and Men of the Barge Fearnought, Capt. Levin Spedden. OFFICERS' AND MEN'S PAY PER OFFICERS' AND MEN'S PAY PER NAMES AND STATION. MONTH. NAMES AND STATION. MONTH. Captain £15 Boatswn. 5. 12. 6 Levin Spedden George Wilson 1st Lieut. 10 Gunner 5. 12. 6 Zadock Botfield Jacob Jackson 2nd Lieut. 10 Steward 3. 15. 0 Edward Spedden Samuel Abbot Privates, £3 each per month Privates Privates John Frazier, (for Joseph Valliant, (absent) Nehem. Beckwith, (absent) 1 year, Furld.) John Jacobs Henry Powel, William Lee, (absent) Thomas Chapman (in Flying Fish) William Frazier William Rumble Thos. Perry, Thomas Moore Thomas Ewbanks (in Flying Fish) Zadock Harvey James Collins John Thomas, Jr., William Merrick Emory Collins (in Flying Fish) Gideon Gambrel Henry Perry, Richd.Eaton, (absent) William Willowby (in Flying Fish) John Thomas George Price John Steward James Neighbours Charles Price Joseph Bush David Davis John Shepherd William Low James Frazier Samuel Farrow William Navy Joseph Christian John Weaver John Wheeler Thos. Richardson James Barnes, (paid off) [Pay commenced 21st Sept. '82, for all except Joseph Christian, whose pay com- menced Nov. 15th, '82. Each was paid for 2 Months and pay was due to Jan. 1st, 1783.] Annapolis, Saturday, Dec., 1782. Gentlemen As you have suspended me from officiating the duty of Lt. on board the Barge Fearnought, I think It a hard case that I have not had a hearing in my own defence, as there is so many false reports propogated to my prejudice, in respect of my Conduct on that day in the action with the British Barges, Sincerely was this. I was Stationed at the bow Gun a 6lber. when we came into Action the first fire bursted, as much as Two feet of the uper part of the Muzzle blew of. I immediatly acquainted the Capt. of the Misfortune his answer was try her again my Answer was here is at It then and accordingly fired two rounds Shot & Two rounds Grape before the Comodore's Barge had blew up & It's said that I Contradicted his Orders when he gave Orders to board the British Barge then Nearly Along side the Comodore's Barge. I affirm on the word of a man that I did not hear the Orders given being at too great a distance & the men in Confusion but Expected as the men had their Oars out! that we was to try to board the British Barge & try to save some of the Comodore's men if possible that was blown Overboard. I saw our men Confused in rowing some giving way a Head & Others backing water I called to them & told them to give way all together & not to be so Confused and as for leaving my Station I never left It till we where Oblidged to make our retreat & all Sails Set. Then I went Aft & told the boy at the Helmn to let me have the Helmn as I thought I could Steer better myself. & If Capt. Speddin wanted me forward I would gone at the first word. I am, Gentlemen Yr. Hble. Servt. tho' in Disgrace. Zadok Botfield. <http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000018/html/am18--611.html>