3rd [August] Sunday. At 7 this evening came on a violent storm at S.S. East scarcely giving the Fleet time to take in their sails. A darkness in the west and S.W. gave some Kind of notice accompanied with sharp lightning. One ship laid for some time on her beam ends without righting. We Slipped our mizzen top sail without any other damage of any consequence — the lightning and thunder surpassed discription and the heaviness of the rain. This tempest Continued violent for one Hour and ¾ Could not discover any of the Fleet this night but by means of the almost incessant lightning. The wind blew the Broad Pennant to pieces. A sloop likewise laid on her beam ends — 7 men and a woman took to their boat, but kept her towed, but the painter breaking got adrift and was lost. The Sloop with four men on board, righted an hour after. At 12 o'clock this night hove too for one hour, at which time Sounded in 25 Fathoms of water. Incessant lightning this whole night.