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This battle at Tatamagouche, although a bloodless one, had important results. It indirectly brought about the loss of Donahew and his eleven men amidst hideous suffering on the shores of the Strait of Canso. And his success at Tatamagouche though bringing death to himself may well have been the turning point in the siege of Louisbourg. Its Governor, after its fall, distinctly stated "that Marin’s failure to appear proved disastrous to him at a time when success would have meant victory." * In commemoration of this episode and of Donahew, the Historic Sites Monument Board, in August 1939, erected at Tatamagouche a monument in a spot overlooking the waters of the Harbour where he fought his last fight. Jones had better luck. He reached Louisbourg in safety though that was all. Two of his crew were dead; the others about naked, and all ill. To complete his plight his provisions had been exhausted and rum was twenty four shillings a gallon. From Sir Peter Warren, who was in command of the British Fleet off Louisbourg, he however received warm praise with a request that he stay longer at Louisbourg, which he did. At the close of the campaign, he returned to Newport though his love for privateering did not forsake him. First in the merchant marine, he afterwards returned to privateering and as late as 1751 was still engaging in his predatory occupation. He brought the "Tartar" back safe to her home port and for many
years, (and perhaps yet) two of her guns were to guard the sides of the city
fountain which stood at the foot of the Parade in the City of Newport.** Back |
