Les - your point about Bristol not being a port to award prizes is a very good one which hadn't occurred to me. I have seen versions where Capt. Thingummy goes to Plymouth, however I have a song called "The bold pirate" (a lovely tune incidentally) in which the ship is supposed to be a merchantman out of Bristol and to which they return with their captured prize. While I entirely agree that none of these songs is hard historical fact, a fight like this in the Bristol Channel was not impossible, given the fact that Lundy Island was a pirate base for some years in the 17th century.

I'll post lyrics of the song and "Captain Mansfields Fight" tomorrow if I have time.

And yes Gurney, a cracker of a song.