Captain David Ropes ( – May 1782) was an American privateer from Salem, Massachusetts who served in the American Revolutionary War. Old Naumkeag : an historical sketch of the city of Salem, and the towns of Marblehead, Peabody, Beverly, Danvers, Wenham, Manchester, Topsfield, and Middleton By Webber, C. H. (Charles Henry); Nevins, Winfield S, p. 236 He was taken prisoner twice during the war and then killed in the Battle off Halifax (1782).
Career On 14 August 1778, Ropes became the commander of the schooner Lively (14 guns, 40 men). He was captured off Jeddore, Nova Scotia by the armed sloops Howe on 10 November 1778.Massachusetts privateers of the revolution, by Gardner Weld ... Allen, Gardner Weld, 1856-1944. p. 209
Six months later on 22 May 1779, he became the commander of the Brigantine Wildcat (12 guns, 65 men). On 14 June, he chased a brig and drove it ashore.p. 253 Massachusetts privateers of the revolution, by Gardner Weld ... Allen, Gardner Weld, 1856-1944. p. 325 In August 1779, the Wild Cat was taken by Robuste (64 guns), and Ropes was brought to Newfoundland and imprisoned.p. 353
The following year, on 9 September 1780, Ropes became the commander of the schooner Dolphin (8 guns, 20 men).Massachusetts privateers of the revolution, by Gardner Weld ... Allen, Gardner Weld, 1856-1944. p. 118
On 14 March 1781, Ropes became the commander of the ship Congress (20 guns, 130 men). On 1 July 1781, Ropes was taken prisoner along with 20 men in a battle with the British frigate HMS Oiseau under the command of Captain Henry Lloyd, and carried into St. John's, Newfoundland. Ropes was released and arrive in Boston on 15 August. Massachusetts privateers of the revolution, by Gardner Weld ... Allen, Gardner Weld, 1856-1944. p. 104p. 353
On 16 September 1781, Ropes became commander of the ship Jack (14 guns, 60 men). He fell in with the British brigantine Observer (12 guns, 173 men) off of Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 29, 1782. The British had killed Ropes by the first broadside and then half the crew before Lieutenant William Gray surrendered the ship.Massachusetts privateers of the revolution, by Gardner Weld ... Allen, Gardner Weld, 1856-1944. p. 190
His son was Captain Joseph Ropes.
See also Nova Scotia in the American Revolution
References