[Extract]

The Wind continued to blow at Et and ESE and drove me to the Southward of Cape Cod, off which place the 8th instant I saw two Sail, a Brig and a Snow, but from the Badness of the Weather could not board them until next day, when I found the Brig was laden with military Stores,² and the Snow* with Coals for Boston. I immediately sent them Signals and took Charge of them. The next day I spoke to a Ship* from Liverpool with Coals to whom I gave Signals likewise. From the 9th to this day I have made every effort to get them safe into Port, have twice worked up into the Bay, and got within five or six Leagues of the Lighthouse, by our Accounts, when the Wind has shifted to the E.S.E. and with such Violence that I have been obliged to hawl the Wind and stand out, the weather being too thick to attempt making the Land. The Gale on the 10th shifted so suddenly from ESE to North that it obliged me to reef the Course and stand out, in doing which the Mainsail splitt from the Reefband upwards, but fortunately went no further. The next day it moderated and I joined the Convoy. On the 15th having run in with a Southerly Wind, and waiting for Day light to make the Land, as the Day broke the Wind shifted to E.SE again and blew with very great Violence and continued to the 18th. We lost Sight of the Convoy on the Night of the Gale, and have not since seen anything of them. In endeavouring to clear the Land we splitt a Maintopsail, Fore Course, and Fore Stay Sail: The Foretopmast Stay Sail blew out of the Netting and went all to Pieces before we could save it. We have broke the upper part of the Head and several of the Chain Plates. The Ship has been strained very much, and is very leaky in her upper Works by carrying Sail. A Sea striking under the Counter broke the Rudder Coat, by which means we shipped a great deal of Water in the Gunroom, which has damaged a Quantity of Bread stowed in the Bread Lockers. The People from Fatigue and being constantly wet have been very sickly, so we have had but few men who were able to stand the Deck during the bad Weather. All our Sails will repair again except the fore-topmast Stay Sail; but we shall want assistance in doing it. Most of our Sails have been destroyed by the Ropes breaking in taking them in, so that the Expence of Cordage has been considerable.

Note * * This Vessel arrived safe.