Historical Paintings of Woods Hole and Falmouth by F. L. Gifford
The Capture of the “Retaliation,” 1814
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(The British naval vessel “Retaliation” was most active in harassing trade along the Massachusetts coast about 1812-14.)
On October 21, 1814, Captain Weston Jenkins sailed out of Falmouth in the sloop “Two Friends,” with a volunteer crew of 31 men, and well armed with rifles. He headed for Tarpaulin Cove, Naushon Island, where the “Retaliation” was anchored. When the sloop came within hailing distance, Captain Porter of the “Retaliation” shouted out to the “Two Friends” to “Heave To.” Feigning meek obedience, Jenkins “hove to” in the sloop, ordering all but two of his men to conceal themselves and remain quiet. Captain Porter put out from the privateer in a small boat with five armed men, and rowed to the sloop. When they came alongside the sloop, Captain Jenkins stamped his foot and up jumped all of his men armed for immediate action. Jenkins ordered the captain of the privateer to surrender, by lowering his flag, which he promptly did.... The “Two Friends” the went alongside the “Retaiation” and took her and her crew, prisoners.
Then they sailed the “Retaliation” to Falmouth as a prize. There was of course great rejoicing when this bothersome privateer was brought to the wharf, and her valuable cargo, mostly plunder taken from American vessels, was unloaded and distributed among the people of Falmouth.
The “Retaliation” was sailed to Boston. Captain Porter and his men were marched to Boston and turned over to authorities.
The text above is from Historic Woods Hole, by Franklin Lewis Gifford (1932).