William Thompson's fight off Poole, Dorset, 1695

William Thompson's fight off Poole, Dorset, 30 May 1695. Thompson was a local fisherman whose fishing boat was fired on by a French privateer near the Isle of Purbeck. Although outnumbered 3 to 16, and with few weapons, he defended himself bravely for two hours, and wounded some of the French aggressors. The French ship finally got into difficulties and Thompson took control, sailed her into Poole and received a reward from the Lords of the Admiralty

1690s 1695 Brave Courage Defending Outnumbered Poole Privateer Purbeck Reward Sloop

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