Dancing Molly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
| Name | The Dancing Molly |
| In service | 1883 |
The Dancing Molly was a small but famous sailboat called a sloop. It became well-known during a time called the Oyster Wars in 1883. This was a period when there were conflicts over oyster harvesting in Chesapeake Bay. The Dancing Molly became famous for outsmarting the Governor of Virginia, William E. Cameron, during an exciting chase.
What made the Dancing Molly special was its crew. It was sailed only by the captain's wife and his two daughters! These "plucky petticoated pirates" managed to escape two large steamships, the Victoria J Peed and the Pamlico, even while being shot at.
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The Great Chase of The Dancing Molly
In 1883, Governor William E. Cameron of Virginia wanted to stop oyster pirates. These were people who harvested oysters illegally. The year before, he had successfully captured seven pirate boats. This time, he set out with two large steamships, the Victoria J Peed and the Pamlico, to catch more.
To make sure everyone knew about his efforts, Governor Cameron brought reporters with him. Journalists from big newspapers like the New York Herald were on board the Pamlico. They were ready to write about his success.
How the Chase Began
The Governor's ships spotted the Dancing Molly in a small inlet. It looked like the boat was empty. The rest of the crew were actually on shore, gathering wood. Governor Cameron thought it would be an easy capture. He didn't know that the captain's wife and two daughters were still on board the Molly.
As the large steamships got closer, the brave women on the Dancing Molly decided to make a run for it. They wanted to reach safe waters, even though the Governor's ships had cannons. It was a risky plan, but they were determined.
The Exciting Escape
The chase was very close. The Virginia gunboat tried to block the inlet, while the Dancing Molly used all its sails to get out. People watching from the shore were very excited. Even though they usually didn't like oyster pirates, they hoped the small boat would get away.
The Dancing Molly was fast and clever. It managed to outmaneuver the bigger, slower steamships. When the Dancing Molly finally reached safety, the people on shore cheered for the pirate's wife and daughters. It was a truly amazing escape!
Governor Cameron's Embarrassment
This exciting event led to many newspaper stories and jokes about Governor Cameron. People laughed about how the "laughing maidens of the 'Dancing Molly'" had completely outsmarted him. They even joked that his official report would mention the "laughing lassies of the Dancing Molly."
This chase, along with other problems in catching oyster pirates, was very embarrassing for Governor Cameron. After this incident, he never sent another expedition to capture oyster pirates. The Dancing Molly and its brave crew became a legend in the history of the Oyster Wars.
