and that the total destruction of the fleet was occasioned "principally by the Commodore's not exerting himself at all at the time of the Retreat in opposing the Enemies' foremost Ships in pursuit." The story of the Penobscot Expedition forms the basis of the historical novel, The Fort by Bernard Cornwell. Later career Saltonstall returned to Connecticut, and convinced one of his wife's relatives, Adam Babcock, to support him in a privateering venture. As captain of the 16-gun brig Minerva, he embarked on a successful career as a privateer in 1781. Among his prizes was the richest captured by a Connecticut ship; the merchantman Hannah was valued at £80,000. After the war, he engaged in trade with the West Indies, and also dabbled in the slave trade. He died in 1796 in the West Indies, apparently of a tropical disease. Further reading Notes References 1738 births 1796 deaths United States Navy personnel of the American Revolution Continental Navy officers Deaths from yellow fever People of Connecticut in the American Revolution American privateers