Hector McNeill (October 10, 1728 – December 25, 1785) was a Scotch-Irish immigrant to the Province of Massachusetts Bay who became a merchant mariner for the Royal Navy during the North American theater of the Seven Years' War (1756–1763).
[5] McNeil entered the King's service as a merchant marine in April 1755 and was given command of a ship that took General Monckton to Nova Scotia where he remained during the siege of Beausejour.
When war began Governor-General Guy Carleton demanded he either join the militia for the British or leave the colony.
McNeill left and was soon transporting supplies to the American army's invasion of Canada under General Benedict Arnold.
After a year preparing the ship to be battle-worthy and finding a crew, the Boston joined another new frigate the Hancock to form a squadron under the command of the Navy's second ranking officer Captain John Manley.
Manly would have been able to escape the slower ships, but due to heavy cargo in the forward holds of the Hancock the bow dipped, slowing the craft.
After a prisoner exchange released Manley, both men were court-martialed with the result for McNeill being dismissal from the Navy without ceremony.
An American counter-attack under General John Butler inflicted losses on the Loyalists including the death of McNeill and causing them to abandon Burke and their other prisoners.