• Home
  • Browse
  • Search

Historical Sites related to the Life and Career of Benedict Arnold


  1. Interesting Side Stories

Wreck of the "General Arnold"

Burial Hill, School Street at Town Square, Plymouth, MA

Plymouth's worst shipwreck occurred at Christmastime in 1778. The privateer brig "General Arnold" went aground in a shoal area of the harbor as it sought refuge from a violent winter storm. Plymouth residents could see the ship being pounded by ferocious waves, but were unable to do anything to help. When they at last were able to reach the wreck after the storm abated, by walking over the frozen ice of the harbor, many of the crew were found frozen to death. The bodies were buried at Burial Hill Cemetery, where a monument was erected to their memory. The captain of the ship, James Magee, survived the ordeal and always regretted his decision to attempt to enter the harbor instead of riding the storm out at sea. Upon his death in 1801, he was buried with his former crew, as he had wished. His name was inscribed on the monument.

The ship was undoubtedly named for Benedict Arnold, the heroic battlefield commander of the early war years. According to Randall, p. 412, Arnold had bought a schooner from Robert Shewell, Jr. for 1974.5.4 pounds, which he outfitted as a privateer and named "General Arnold." That occurred in August of 1778. I have no idea if this is the same vessel, as there seems to have been more than one privateer named after the famous general.

Here are links to the story:
http://historicaldigression.com/tag/benedict-arnold/
http://www.masshistory.com/the-general-arnold-wreck-at-plymouth
Read More
In this view from the early 2000s, the monument needed a good cleaning, which it had received by the time I took the previously shown photos. The wooden sign, blank in 2018, was readable back then.
3 / 8

In this view from the early 2000s, the monument needed a good cleaning, which it had received by the time I took the previously shown photos. The wooden sign, blank in 2018, was readable back then.

  • Approaching the monument (the white obelisk). To locate the monument, enter the cemetery via the main entrance on School Street at Town Square. Climb the stairs and brick walkway to the top of the hill. Turn left on the paved path, then take an immediate right on another paved path. Follow that along the crest of the hill nearly to its end, and look for the distinctive monument on your left.
  • View of the monument in 2018
  • In this view from the early 2000s, the monument needed a good cleaning, which it had received by the time I took the previously shown photos. The wooden sign, blank in 2018, was readable back then.
  • In memory of the seventy two seamen who perished...
  • The panel with the captain's name. He survived the wreck, but his last wish was to be buried with his former crewmates when he died.
  • Panel naming the man who erected the monument, and it's purpose
  • Unreadable script on this panel (rear of the monument)
  • A view of the White Flat shoal area of Plymouth Harbor, where the "General Arnold" wrecked. This view is from the harbor tour boat.
  • No Comments
  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2021 SmugMug, Inc.