HMS Nimrod Attacks Falmouth in 1814-- Part 2: A Deadline Not Met and Bombardment Began

On January 28, 1814, the commander of the Nimrod  warned Falmouth of his plans to bombard the town unless they gave up two cannons and a sloop that was docked at present-day Surf Drive.  The town's response went essentially, "If you want our cannons, you can come and get them, but we'll give you what's in them first."

Falmouth resident John Crocker, whose Shore Street home is now the central building  of Shoreway Acres, described what happened next in February 1814 in the New England Palladium.

"During the interim  the flag frequently passed;  the town was in utmost confusion; the inhabitants removing the sick, the women, the children and furniture.

"About the time set (the Nimrod had given a time the bombardment would start if demands weren't met) for the cannonading to begin, and continued with very little intermission until night, and several guns in the night, making in all about  three hundred (shots) from their thirty-two pounders, besides the smaller ones."

--Brock-Rod