History of London minor crimes. Public hangings were common in London, and were popular public events. In 1780, London was rocked by the Gordon Riots, an uprising by Protestants against Roman Catholic emancipation led by Lord George Gordon. Severe damage was caused to Catholic churches and homes, and 285 rioters were killed. In the year 1787, freed slaves from London, America, and many of Britain's colonies founded Freetown in modern-day Sierra Leone. Up until 1750, London Bridge was the only crossing over the Thames, but in that year Westminster Bridge was opened and, for the first time in history, London Bridge, in a
Action of 7 June 1780 of his frigate was so torn that she could hardly maneuver and that "Iris" could have re-engaged at will. He further stated that he had attributed the retreat of "Iris" to her casualties, which he inferred from her low rate of fire at the end of the engagement, and was surprised to read that she had only seven killed and nine wounded. Action of 7 June 1780 The Action of 7 June 1780 took place during the American War of Independence between the frigates "Hermione" and HMS "Iris". The ships exchanged fire for one hour and a half before parting.