The HMS Sylph with the HMS Maidstone close behind by B. J. Phillips
The H.M.S. Sylph was constructed in Bermuda in 1812, but was not the first ship to have the name Sylph. Although rated an '18' (based on the number of cannons aboard a traditional sloop-of-war) she was actually armed with sixteen 24-pounder carronades, two long 12-pounders and two 12-pound carronades.
During the months of June and July 1814 the Sylph was extensively active in the interruption of commerce and the capture or destruction of merchant vessels on Long Island Sound. On May 11th the Sylph captured the merchant sloop Grace and took her cargo of iron and dismantled her for fuel. On the 18th the Sylph along with the Frigate H.M.S. Maidstone fired upon a Swedish vessel prior to joining the remainder of the British squadron in blockading the Sound. The blockade, in addition to the Sylph and Maidstone, included the H.M.S. Bulwark and Nimrod. On May 25th the Sylph and Maidstone were engaged in a battle with about a dozen small gunboats under the command of Commodore Lewis. After a three hour battle the American gunboats succeeded in their task of allowing a large contingent of small merchant packets and coasters to pass unmolested past the British warships. At the conclusion of the battle two 74 gun British ships arrived on site and the American forces retreated towards Guilford. The Sylph continued throughout June to make trouble on the Sound. She joined the Maidstone and Belvidera, another frigate, along with the La Hogue, one of the 74 gun ships that had arrived in the Sound in attacking more and more vessels.
In early June the Sloop Nancy was located along near Northville, Long Island when the British arrived, attempting to land marines to destroy the vessel. They were beaten off by the local militia under Capt. John Terry who shot at the marines from the bluffs. Soon after the Sylph arrived and bombarded the cliffs with cannon fire. She was joined by another ship, likely the Maidstone, and together they attempted to drive off the American militia and take the ship, but in the end were unable to capture the Nancy.
The HMS Sylph from a Model—Courtesy of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England
On June 23, 1814 an early submarine, called the "torpedoe boat" was forced ashore near Horton Point, Southold after her line was cut in an effort to save a man who went overboard. The boat arrived on shore and over the course of the next few days her crew tried to get her off the beach. In the meantime, word was received by the Sylph and Maidstone of the boats arrival and they set course for her. On Sunday, June 26th, 1814 the Sylph and Maidstone arrived off of Horton Point and launched several small barges (or skiffs) with armed men intent on destroying the "torpedoe boat." Several members of the Sag Harbor militia who were present fired upon the British, who took at least four men either killed or wounded. The militia was forced to retreat and the British succeeded in landing on the Beach and burning the "torpedoe boat." The boat was one of the earliest forms of submarine to be engaged in naval battles.
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CAPT. HENRY GREEN
Items at the lighthouse relating to the Captain
(Click images for slideshow.)
 Tea ServiceIt is interesting that Henry Green chose this tea service with a green pattern - a play upon his own name perhaps. It was acquired in Europe and brought back to Long Island as a part of his wedding service. |  Silk from the OrientThis embroidered silk was acquired by Green during one of his whaling voyages. The intricate detail work is a hallmark of embroidery created in China, which is possibly where the two matching pieces at the lighthouse came from. |  Carved CaneGreen carved and mounted this cane himself. The top of the case has a carved ivory "grasping" hand with a carved and painted snake mounted below it. The snake wraps around the main column of the cane terminating about halfway down the shaft. |
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 Sea ChestEach sailor, including the captain, needed a chest in which to keep their belongings. Captain Green's chest traveled with him all over the world from his early days all the way through his service as captain. |  Nesting Baskets from the Far EastDesigned to maximize storage, these nesting baskets were brought back on one of Green's whaling trips. |  Jewel CasketConstructed by the captain for his wife, this intricately crafted box includes rare woods, ivory, whalebone, etched and hand colored decorations as well as a cabochon moonstone button. |
Captain Henry Green (1794 - 1873)
Captain Henry Green was born in Sag Harbor, Long Island in 1794. he went to sea for the first time aboard the ship Fair Helen in 1817. He spent just over a year aboard the vessel, which was captained by Oliver Fordham. His next three journeys were done on board the ship Abigail, in 1818, 1819, and 1820. In May of 1821 he was appointed master of the Abigail and for the first tem took the title of "captain." In 1822 he captained the ship Hannibal and in 1824 returned to Sag Harbor where he married Roxanna Stewart Fordham. He continued as master of Hannibal on another voyage in 1825, and served as captain for the last time aboard the ship Huron in 1843. During his career of 26 years he captained several other vessels, including the Ontario, Octavia, Phoenix, and the Hudson. In 1851 he moved his family from Sag Harbor to a new home on the North Fork in Peconic. He died in 1873 and his body was returned to Sag Harbor for burial.
Other items relating to Captain Green and his career are also displayed at the lighthouse. To see them, please consider paying us a visit on Saturdays and Sundays from May to October.