Memorial to David Bartleman, Church Plain, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

This gravestone has a rare inscription that refers to an English pirate attack. `To/ the memory of/ David Bartleman/ Master of the Brig Alexander and Margaret/ of North Shields/ who on the 31st of Jan 1781 on the Norfolk Coast/ with only three 3 pounders and ten Men and Boys/ Nobly Defended Himself/ Against a Cutter carrying eighteen 4 pounders/ and upwards of a Hundred Men/ Commanded by the notorious English Pirate/ Fall/ And fairly beat him off/ Two hours after the enemy came down upon him again/ When totally disabled His mate Daniel MacAuley/ Expiring whith the loss of blood/ and himself dangerously wounded/ He was obliged to Strike and ransome/ He brought his shattered Vessel into Yarmouth/ With more/ Than the Honour of a Conqueror/ And died here in Consequence of his wounds/ On the 14th of February following/ in the 25th Year of his Age'.

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