HMS Jersey: Difference between revisions
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[[File:ACIII-HMSJersey.png|thumb|250px|''HMS Jersey''.]] | [[File:ACIII-HMSJersey.png|thumb|250px|''HMS Jersey''.]] | ||
The '''HMS ''Jersey''''' was a British prison ship in [[New York City|New York]] harbor during the [[American Revolutionary War]]. | The '''HMS ''Jersey''''' was a [[United Kingdom|British]] prison ship in [[New York City|New York]] harbor during the [[American Revolutionary War]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
As a result of the Revolutionary War, the [[British Army]] took so many prisoners that they quickly ran out of space to hold them all. Prisons in New York (like the [[Bridewell Prison|Bridewell]]) were full, so the British took to using sugar houses and pro-rebel churches in the city. | |||
In the harbor, decommissioned war ships were put to use as prison ships, the most well-known being the HMS ''Jersey''. The ''Jersey'' had – and earned – the nickname | In the harbor, decommissioned war ships were put to use as prison ships, the most well-known being the HMS ''Jersey''. The ''Jersey'' had – and earned – the nickname "Hell." Conditions below decks (where the prisoners were kept) were crowded – a thousand men crammed together without light, sanitation, or proper ventilation. | ||
About a dozen prisoners died every day – from smallpox, yellow fever, malnutrition, and torture by the guards. The British sentiment was that the rebels were traitors and didn't deserve any better. | About a dozen prisoners died every day – from smallpox, yellow fever, malnutrition, and torture by the guards. The British sentiment was that the rebels were traitors and didn't deserve any better. | ||
At least 11,000 people died on board prison ships – more | At least 11,000 people died on board prison ships – more than the rest of the war put together. After the British left New York, the [[United States]] Navy found mass graves in the mud at the edge of the harbor. Those remains have since been placed under a monument in Brooklyn, where Fort Putnam used to be.<ref> ''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' - ''[[Database entries|Animus database]]''</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
{{ | {{AC3}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jersey, HMS}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Jersey, HMS}} | ||
[[Category:New York City]] | [[Category:New York City]] | ||
[[Category:Ships]] | [[Category:Ships]] | ||
Revision as of 12:12, 13 January 2013
The HMS Jersey was a British prison ship in New York harbor during the American Revolutionary War.
History
As a result of the Revolutionary War, the British Army took so many prisoners that they quickly ran out of space to hold them all. Prisons in New York (like the Bridewell) were full, so the British took to using sugar houses and pro-rebel churches in the city.
In the harbor, decommissioned war ships were put to use as prison ships, the most well-known being the HMS Jersey. The Jersey had – and earned – the nickname "Hell." Conditions below decks (where the prisoners were kept) were crowded – a thousand men crammed together without light, sanitation, or proper ventilation.
About a dozen prisoners died every day – from smallpox, yellow fever, malnutrition, and torture by the guards. The British sentiment was that the rebels were traitors and didn't deserve any better.
At least 11,000 people died on board prison ships – more than the rest of the war put together. After the British left New York, the United States Navy found mass graves in the mud at the edge of the harbor. Those remains have since been placed under a monument in Brooklyn, where Fort Putnam used to be.[1]
References