Novr 75 Wednesy 8th
Cape Codd N73W Dis 9 Leagues [A.M.] at 6 saw 2 Sl ahead Standg to the westd at 8 in Co wt the above Vessells at 11 Spoke a Brig from London to Boston wt Stores2 Brig and Snow in Co [P.M.] at 5 brot too and Sent the Cuttr onbd the above Vessells at 6 hoisted in do
Thursday 9th
Cape Codd West5 Leagues Latter hard gales and Squally Brigg and Snow in Co at 10 [P.M.] bore away and Spoke the Brigg
Friday 10
Cape Codd S 2°W 8 Miles Distant At 2 A.M. Ballanc'd the Mizzen and clew'd up the Topsls and handed the[m] fir'd a 3 pd and 2 Nine pdrs made the Signal and Wore at 6 Violent hard gusts of wind and rain Throw'd over Board to clear the Deck 3 Punch[s] Reeft the courses at 8 Set the Courses and Stood out for Sea Split the F Stay Sl and F T Mts Stay sl at Nine the points of the Main Sl gave way on the Lee Side by which the Sl Split at 10 carry'd away the Dead Eye of the Larboard foremast Main Shroud. at 1 PM hauld up the Msl and unbent it unbent the Fore and Fore T Mt Staysls at 3 Set up the Larboard Foremost Fore Shroud reev'd a New Tiller rope Bent a New fore Staysl and Set it and hauld up the T Sl and brot too Judging ourselves clear of the Land3
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/181.
2. The ordnance brig Nancy, subsequently taken by John Manley in Washington's armed schooner Lee, and carried into Cape Ann.
3. Vice Admiral Graves reported to Philip Stephens on December 28, 1775: "The Cerberus had the Ordnance Brig under Convoy several days, was twice with her within a few Leagues of the Lighthouse, and yet from thick Weather and Gales of Wind they parted Company," Graves's Conduct, II, 23-24, BM.
