(No. 4:)
Sir
Please to acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty; that pursuant to their Orders of the 5th February last, I have caused Two Ships to be purchased; in every respect fitt to be made Sloops of war One is the French Ship taken by the Seaford, which on a strict examination and Survey is reported capable of carrying Sixteen Six pound Guns; if those can be pro cured; I have got Ten of that kind, by taking Eight from the Sylph Sloop (coming to England with the present Convoy) which I replaced by the same Number of four Pounders. this Ship being of such considerable force I have thought proper to give her the Complement of the 16 Gun Sloops, Vizt 125 Men; and the 10th May last I appointed Mr William Young 1st Lieutenant of the Portland to the Command: and have named her the Snake.
The other was a Guinea Ship offered for Sale, which on a strict Examination and Survey is reported capable of carrying Fourteen four pound Guns: and 100 Men: I have called her the Comet and the 30th May last appointed Mr William Swiney (then 1st Lieutenant of the Portland) to the Command; The Snake was appraised at £2200: Sterg and the Comet at £1500 Sterg as P the Reports of Survey inclosed; which Sums I have ordered the Naval Officer to draw Bills for on the Commissioners of the Navy.2
Please likewise to acquaint their Lordships that the King's Armed Brigs Endeavour & Antigua some time ago Cruizing in Company took a very fine large Bermudas Sloop of 150 Tons Burthen; Armed for Defence and Loaded with Tobacco, the Sloop was well known in these Islands, and famous for fast Sailing; and: had not the two Brigs chased her together, she would have got off; but could not escape both; as by avoiding One she came within the Guns of the other; She is so fine a Vessel that a great many Friends to the Americans, came from the French and Dutch "Islands, with intention of Purchasing her, however as it was well known the use they would have turned her to; was to Cruize as a Privateer; I thought it best to purchase her. for the King's Service, (in Order to prevent her being employed against our Trade) and to exchange her for the Pelican Brig, which has proved a very dull Sailer; I have therefore called her by that name; and turned over the Officers and Men into her; also the Guns, Masts, Yards, Sails and Rigging to Convert her into a Brig; she being Much too large and unhandy for a Sloop, her mast being of a Size to Convert into a Frigates Foremast; The Hull of the Vessel that was the Pelican; I intend to Convert into a Vessel to raise Mudd &ca to clean the Harbour, the one now employed for that purpose (being an old Tender called the Denbeigh) quite wore out, and ready to Sink having been used in that Service several Years. I have had the aforenamed Bermudas Sloop, carefully inspected and Surveyed, with her Mast Sails and Stores which they have Valued at £1400: Sterg as P the enclosed Report and I have ordered the Naval Officer to draw Bills on the Navy Board for that Sum.3
The Sloop is pierced for 14 Guns, but I intend first to try her with Ten 4 lb Guns the same the other Brig had. I flatter myself their Lordships will approve of what I have done; and I am Sir [&c.]
[Endorsed] No 4 Antegoa 12 June 1777 V. Adm: Young Rd 31 July
3 Inclo.
