Argus.
The Scourge of the seas around Penwith, The Bristol and English Channel.
William Daniell and Richard Ayton witnessed the damage to the fleets of St Ives.
The Brig Argus; built Boston 1803 by Edmund Hart. 298 tons, 80 x 20 x 12.6ft; cost $37,428. 16 guns, a very high number the most on any American brig. That year she sailed for Tripoli in the mediterranean; she had her hull coppered in 1811 cost $13,000. She had a very distinguished career with exemplary crew. At Staten Island she received orders to make sail for France, and after her first port of call was to 'proceed upon a cruise against commerce and light cruisers of the enemy, orders were to destroy, as taking command would divide resources and place the Argus at risk. It was the clear intention to attack all shipping and to cause as much havoc as possible. The hunting grounds were to be off Ireland and then onwards to Fair Island. From the 1st July 1813, besides the twenty ships she claimed as prize, all manner of fishing vessels and coastal traders were sunk or burned. This was a serious dent in the British Maritime. The Pelican was sent out to seek the Argus. HMS Pelican built 1812; 385 tons, 16 carronades of 36lb, 2 long 16lb and a 12lb launching carronade, she was also fitted with 2 brass 6s for chasing fire. She was also fitted with a metal broadside of 274 pounds. Her crew was 100 with 12 boys (under 14s). The Argus was originally crewed 150 but had reduced this number to man the prize ships. It was suspected that nine of the crew were Englishman. The brigs came within sight of each other off St David's Head 50:15N by 5:50W, 14th August 1813. Forty five minutes later after much damage, injury and death, she was captured. Her cruise had covered the waters around Penwith and up to Ostend, and back to Southern Ireland. She attacked whatever she saw. The Susannah (Madiera to London, Captain Porrett) was captured 24th July, stripped of cargo and arrived in Penzance 25th July 1813.
