Bristol was just as likely a port to take a prize to as any other. Regardless of naval issues. I suppose they'd take it to the nearest friendly port. The ballad I'm researching 'The Bold Pirate' Roud 984, Laws K30, funnily enough consistently features Bristol in both the first and last verse, despite none of the dates correlating. Some of the other statistical info such as numbers on board both vessels and numbers of guns vary somewhat in both English and American versions but Bristol is fully consistent, unlike some other similar ballads in which the ports mentioned do vary a lot. Incidentally no ships or personnel get a mention in this ballad except a later added ship name in one of the American versions.