- Historic Sites “We was amazingly fortunate” —OR—Through the
American Revolution with Pluck & Cheek October 1965 | Volume 16,
Issue 6 The anchored French ships made an inviting target for a
fire-ship raid. James and two fellow lieutenants promptly
volunteered for this dangerous duty. With them came a Mr.
Campbell, a lieutenant aboard a Loyalist privateer. James wanted
them all to be placed under the command of Captain Palmer of the
Vulcan, an established fire ship. But the British commodore
decided to let each man operate independently. James describes
the British effort, which came on the night of September 22.
“The wind being between the north and west on this evening, it
was judged practicable to attack the advanced ships of the enemy
and, having assembled on board our vessels, we cut our cables at
midnight and ran down the river. At two o’clock we came within
sight of the enemy, and were advancing with every probability of
success, when from some cause, unaccountable as strange, Mr.
Campbell, of the priv