A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Snell, George
SNELL. (Commander, 1843.)
In reference to that part of our memoir of Commander George Snell in which we have noticed the death of Lieut. Layton, we have to state further, that that officer had ascended the river Santa Fé in search of pirates with two boats belonging to the Icarus under his orders. Having captured one vessel at the source of the river and given the command of her to Mr. Snell, he proceeded up a branch of the stream in his own boat, the gig, leaving the other, the cutter, in company with the prize. He encountered the pirates during his absence, and, as we have already stated, was by them murdered. After this Mr. Snell remained for several days blockading the river in the above-named prize alone, with not more than 7 men, the cutter having returned to the Icarus with intelligence of that which had occurred.