Footnotes to Long Island History
War of 1812 Blockades
by
Thomas R. Bayles
Navy
The War of 1812 demoralized maritime enterprise on Long Island. A close
blockade was established and maintained at Gardiner's Bay and the
eastern end of Long Island Sound. There were several clashes between the
Americans and the British, and such vessels as could be readily hidden
away were taken up the Connecticut Carman's River, or hidden in enclosed
harbors and creeks o n Long Island. One of these ships, the Argonaut,
was built at Sag Harbor just before hostilities were declared and
operated during the war. There seems to be no mention made of her after
resumption of maritime activities in 1815 after the war.
Daniel Winters of Westhampton was a veteran of the War of 1812, and in
early life went on the water. While in New York he shipped on the
privateer "Governor Tompkins," with Capt. Smith as master. They captured
a number of of British ships and when on their way back to New York fell
in with an English brig of war. A severe fight took place which lasted
until after dark. In the morning the English ship had disappeared and
was not seen again. The Governor was severely damaged and five men
killed and wounded. A 32 pound shot had carried away the bowsprit.
New York was then blockaded at Sandy Hook, and the Tompkins tried to
make New London, but that port was also blockaded so it was decided to
run the gauntlet. Just as the Tompkins arrived in sight of the British
fleet off New London, a northeast wind sprang up and, but for Daniel
Winters, they would have been captured. He knew the way through Plum
Gut, at that time a narrow rocky strait connecting Long Island Sound
with Gardiner's Bay. Plum Island lay to the east and Oysterponds (Orient
Point) to the west. With Mr. Winter's help, the Tompkin's was able to
escape the British fleet, which after a f e w volleys of shot gave up
the chase.
During the war the beach opposite Brookhaven Town was strewn with the
wreckage of a vessel, which came from the British sloop of war Sylph 22
guns and carrying a crew of 12 officers and 121 men. The Sylph had been
employed as a blocade runner in Long Island Sound. The records show that
the Sylph was cruising off the south shore of Long Island shortly after
peace was declared lost her bearings and went ashore off Shinnecock
Point January 16, 1815. Early in the morning of January 17, Nathan White
of Wickapogue discovered her and gave the alarm. Soon, volunteer
rescuers were gathered on the beach, but it was snowing furiously, with
the wind blowing a gals and surf running very high, and seemed
impossible to get a boat through the breakers. By afternoon it was
evident that the Sylph was going to pieces, so a life boat was launched
and finally succeeded in recahing the vessel, which had capsized and had
only one officer and five men still clinging to it, the rest having
perished.
In the files of the Suffolk County Historical Society is a letter from
the British Admirality saying that of a crew of 121 at least 115 were
lost., including the captain. About 21 bodies floated ashore and were
buried near the Sugar Loaf at Shinnecock Hills. The wreck was
commemorated by a tablet in St. Andrew's Dune church at Southampton, the
border of the tablet and the wheel above it made of red cedar from the
vessel.