Privateer Bunker Hill-- Part 2: HMS Belvidera

From the "The War of 1812:  A Complete Chronology with  Biographies

AUGUST 21, 1812

"The HMS Belvidera intercepts and seizes the privateer  Bunker Hill (Jacob Lewis, master), a 175-ton schooner that operates out of New York.  At the time of its capture, the Bunker Hill is carrying cargo that includes ammunition and guns, along with provisions."

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From "Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society"

"Also arrived at New York, a British  brig from Quebec for Bermuda, a prize  to the Bunker Hill privateer of this port."

--Brock-Perry

Midshipman Richard Dale-- Part 4: 1967 Was a Highpoint of the Ceremony

**  Starting in 1932,  Captain Adams sent funds  for the wreaths used in the ceremony, but it was not until he retired from the Navy and returned home to Bermuda in 1963, that he was able to be present when the wreath was laid.  My  uncle, Richard Dale, was able to attend that year.

**  In 1967, the ceremony reached its peak when the United States agreed to send the frigate USS Luce for the occasion.  Personnel from the U.S. Bases in Bermuda, which had been established in the Second World War, also, participated.

**  After Captain Adams' untimely death in 1973, the service waned and eventually ceased when  the U.S. Forces withdrew  from Bermuda in 1995.  However, a meeting  between St. Georgian Beau  Evans and Louise  Reider sparked  the reintroduction of the ceremony in 2006.

Edward Dale closed with this remark:  "It gives me great pleasure to once again, 199 years after the death of my great- great- great grand uncle, Midshipman Richard Dale, to express the heartfelt gratitude of the Dale family."

--Brock-Perry

Midshipman Richard Dale-- Part 3: A Commemoration Ceremony in 2014

At the February 2014 ceremony for Dale, Edward Morgan Dale, a descendant of  of Commodore Richard Dale, took part in the occasion and gave a talk at the dinner hosted by the Friends of St,. Peter's.  This was also attended by Louise Reider, the daughter of  Captain Adams (who started the ceremonies), her daughter Abigail and his great grandsons Nicholas and Paget Kellogg.

Here are some of his remarks:

**  Captain Adams' research revealed the touching tale of  the kindness shown by the people of  St. George's to Midshipman Dale, one of the last casualties of the War of 1812.  He died here on February  22, 1815, despite the dignified  care provided by the St. Georgians to the seaman in distress.

**  Midshipman Dale's  father, Commodore Richard Dale,  arranged for the horizontal tombstone so inscribed:  To Commemorate the Gallant Deeds of the People of  St. George's whose Generosity and tender sympathy prompted the kindest attention to him while living and honored him when dead."

--Brock-Perry

Midshipman Richard Dale-- Part 2: A Ceremony Held Every Year Now

After the battle, he was brought to St. George's for treatment and cared for at Stennet's Hotel where the Bank of Butterfield now sits on the Town Square.  However, he succumbed to his injuries on February 22, 1815.

But, he was not forgotten.  Every February 22, when the Us Marine Corps had a station on the U.S. base, a small parade would be held to honor the final the Midshipman who gave his life in the last action on the seas between the U.S. and Britain

This ceremony came to a stop when the base closed in 1995.    However, the friends of St. Peter's Foundation, which works to preserve and increase the  interest in the church in St. George, reintroduced the ceremony in 2006.

Descendants of Bermudian Scarret Adams, who served in the U.S. Navy and found Dale's grave and started the ceremony,  donate funds each year for a wreath of white Passion flowers to put on his grave.

--Brock-Perry

Midshipman Richard Dale: The Last American Death in the War of 1812

From Bermuda Historic stories:  A last casualty of the War of 1812 by Dr. Edward Cecil Harris.

On Christmas Eve 1814, the United States and Britain signed the Treaty of Ghent that ended the War of 1812, but that news took several months to reach the North America.   At sea on Jan. 15, 1815, off New York City the British vessel HMS Endymion captured the USS President.

One of the Americans, however, Midshipman Richard Dale Jr., was severely wounded and had his leg amputated.  He died at Bermuda a month later and was buried at St. Peter's Church in St. George's.

In 1932, a young Bermudian, Scarritt Adams, serving in the U.S. Navy,  came upon Richard Dale's inscribed gravestone and decided that his passing should be commemorated by the United States and Bermuda.

Thus began the "Midshipman Dale Ceremony."

--Brock-Perry

Disappearance of the Patriot and Theodosia Burr Alston-- Part 5: Never Made it to New York

The journey to New York City normally took five or six days.  After two weeks, there was no sign of the Patriot.  Her husband John Alston and Aaron Burr became desperate.  Finally, Burr gave up hope that his daughter was still alive.

Theodosia Burr Alston, her fellow passengers, the crew and the ship were never seen again.  The Patriot had disappeared without a trace.  Later it was learned that the British fleet had stopped the Patriot off  Cape Hatteras on January 2, but Gov. Alston's letter worked and they released the ship.

Later that night a gale hit and dispersed the British fleet.  Beyond that, there was no clue as to what had happened to the ship.  Burr sent people looking for her who went to Nassau and Bermuda, but to no avail.  It is a mystery why he didn't send them to the Outer Banks.

So, What Happended to Theodosia and the Patriot?  --Brock-Perry

Remembering the Last American Casualty

From the Feb. 24, 2014, Bermuda Royal Gazette.

The final American casualty of the War of 1812 (perhaps even the final casualty on all sides) was remembered in a ceremony on St. George's. The annual Midshipman Dale Ceremony was held on Saturday to mark the 199th anniversary of his death.

Richard Sutherland Dale was a midshipman on the frigate USS President which was captured in January 1815. He was wounded and cared for by the people of St. George's while a prisoner. He died Feb. 22, 1815, five days after the United States ratified the Treaty of Ghent which ended the war.

His father was Commodore Richard Dale who later visited St. George's to express his gratitude for the kindness and care shown an enemy.

The first ceremony took place in 1932.

--Brock-Perry

The British North America and West Indies Station-- Part 3

Halifax, Canada, was the main base for the Royal Navy during the Seven Years War (French and Indian), American Revolution and War of 1812.

In 1818, Halifax became the summer base of operations of the N.A.& W.I. Station (North American and West Indies).   For the rest of the year, headquarters was switched to Bermuda.

Bermuda was chosen, besides the weather, as a base from which the British Navy could better watch the United States.

Brock-Perry