Joshua Davis was a native of Boston born in 1760, as his short memoir attests he was an experienced sailor and seasoned campaigner. In 1779, he boarded the 20 gun privateer, the Jason, on a mission to capture as many British ships as possible, he and his crewmates were successful in their search for targets along the eastern seaboard. However, on a very calm day with no hope of escape, his ship was run down by the British frigate Surprise and captured. Pressed in British service, Davis did his best to make a nuisance of himself, often punished for his crimes, clapped in irons or confined. He was present at seven engagements on board British ships, and wounded once, before his eventual escape and return to America many years later. A fascinating story of early American maritime adventure.
