Historically Speaking
Here's to the Captain
The charming city of Wilmington may be buzzing with the hottest television and movie stars of the time, but, while strolling along the streets, we happened upon one of the city’s famous residents of the past, Captain William Gordon Rutherfurd.
Visitors Guide: Pardon me, Sir, but are you Captain Rutherfurd? In the flesh?
Captain Rutherfurd: Aye, that I am! I’ve come to visit my hometown in Wilmington. It’s been quite some time since I’ve been in this great city.
VG: Well, yes… Since the 18th century, I would imagine…
CR: I was but a boy when I left this place with my parents. Born in 1765, I was. We were loyalists, you see, as many North Carolinians were in my time. Yes, we were in favor of England during the Revolutionary War. But it was more than that.
VG: Really? What else was it?
CR: Well, my friend, many of us became loyalists because those on the other side, the patriots, they were all corrupt in North Carolina. All the big revolutionaries in our area had been the ones in control before the war even started. They were as wealthy as could be, and couldn’t care a whit about the average man trying to make a living.
VG: So you’re saying a lot of people from North Carolina became loyalists back in the 1700s because the opposing party had previously been corrupt?
CR: Yes, sir, that’s what I’m saying. Now, don’t get me wrong, that wasn’t true for the whole of the 13 colonies, but it certainly was the case in this here town.
VG: What was it like for you, living here as a loyalist, before you and your family decided to move?
CR: Well, I have always thought of this as my home, but I must admit that times were quite horrific for us right before we left. If you weren’t a patriot, you’d have better watch your back! And heaven help you if you spoke out about supporting the king. Those patriots would tar and feather you—it is the Tar Heel state after all!
VG: Tar and feather you? Is that really so bad?
CR: Are you insane, man? They’d pour hot tar on you—hot enough to scar the skin at times—and feathers may sound soft, but they’ve got quills that can stick you good! Plus, walking around like a mud-covered duck isn’t exactly the most proud moment in a man’s life. But that’s not all that happened. There was the occasional execution, too. That’s when my parents decided it was time for us to high-tail it out of this town.
VG: So where did you go?
CR: We went to the Caribbean, as many loyalists did at that time, and in 1788, after completing school at St. Andrews in England, I was sent off to sea aboard the HMS Suffolk as a sailor in the Royal Navy. Soon enough I became lieutenant and was working my way up in the ranks, getting promoted to commander after storming several forts in Martinique in 1794.
VG: Commander, huh? That’s pretty impressive.
CR: Oh, that’s nothing. Two years later I became post-captain and boarded the HMS Swiftsure during the Napoleonic Wars.
VG: Wow, what an accomplishment! Did you wage any battles aboard that ship?
CR: Oh, yes! In particular, the Battle of Trafalgar off the Spanish waters. My ship was sent out to defend Admiral Nelson and his fleet of 27 vessels in the summer of 1805. Boy, it was a massive battle, and my crew and I found ourselves fighting for the HMS Belleisle, which was suffering from gunshots from the French. Our beautiful Swiftsure emerged from the gun smoke, firing back at the French and catching one of their ships aflame. It wasn’t long before the French vessel was slipping to the dark depths below!
VG: Fascinating! As I recall, the British won that battle hands down. I’m sure you went down in history for that victory.
CR: Well, yes and no… I did return to Britain to be heavily rewarded, but after that glorious battle I remained relegated to shore service and even suffered from unemployment. I suppose you could say I was a one hit wonder, but I will forever relive those glory days!
VG: Well, Captain Rutherfurd, here’s to remembering the past!