Sampson Incident

Sampson incident
"Barney Regains His Ship" by Willis J. Abbot.
Date July 12–20, 1793 Location West Indies, Caribbean Sea Result Successful recapture of the American ship.
Belligerents
United States	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Joshua Barney	unknown
Strength
4 sailors	11 sailors
Casualties and losses
none	2 wounded

The Sampson incident occurred in July 1793 when the American merchant ship Sampson was seized by British privateers in the West Indies. Following a week of capture, the American prisoners revolted against the British and retook control of their ship.

The Sampson was a ship rigged vessel under the command of Captain Joshua Barney, a famous United States Navy officer who served in the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. On July 12 of 1793, the Sampson was trading in the Caribbean Sea when three British privateers surrounded her. The British put a boarding party on the American ship and they took several prisoners, leaving only the ship's carpenter, boatswain, and the cook on board. Captain Barney was taken to one of the privateers while the British searched the ship, stealing valuable property in the process. A few iron chests were found on the Sampson and it contained about $18,000. The British thought the chests were suspicious so they told Captain Barney that they would release him if he gave up the money. Barney refused to tolerate the robbery so he was sent back to the Sampson as a prisoner under guard by eleven armed sailors. They were then to follow the British into the port of New Providence. Later that day, Barney was capable of communicating with the remaining three men on the Sampson who told him that they had hidden weapons and would retake the ship upon orders. Barney was not ready yet though but after a week of listening to the insulting British privateersmen, the Americans decided to act. Captain Barney had concealed a blunderbuss and a broadside sword in his clothing and the three others managed to hide a musket and a bayonet each in the berths. So at noon on July 20 the Americans executed their plan. That day was rainy and squally which meant the prize crew was busy navigating while the three British officers were dining on the quarter deck near the main mast.

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