August 1777
Working into Machias Bay
Wednesday 13
AM at 4 sent the Barge mann'd &arm'd to cut out a Schooner in Shore Moderate & clear Wr in Compy as before PM at ½ past I shorten'd Sail & steerg in for Machias Harbor — at ½ past 3 came too with the Bt Bower in 6½ fm Water as did the Mermaid — the Blonde & Hope proceeded up the River havg the flat bottom Boat & all the Marines of the Ships with them, — departed this Life John Smith (Seamn) Sailmaker employed repairg Sails — employ'd Watering — dry'd Sails — Sent up the River a Boat to the Assistance of the Hope, with the Kedge Anchor & 2 Hawsers, one lower studdg Sail & fore top gallt Sail to cover the Marines & Sailors in the flat bottom Boat —
Thursday 14
Light Airs & foggy with Rain at times PM between the Hours of eight & 9 heard the report of great Guns & small Arms up the River —
Friday 15
At Anchor in Machias Bay AM fm 4 oClock till Noon heard a continual fire up the River brot on bd 2 wounded Men departed this Life Jno Wiley a Marine at 6 sent the Barge up the River to the Hope Weigh'd the Anchor to look at it — let it go again 7 fm Water — brot up with the winding Service — Interr'd the deceas'd — First pt light Airs & hazey Wr with Rain middle pt dark cloudy Wr with Rain latter pt clear Wr PM heard the Report of great Guns & small Arms at 10 came down the Hope with a Sloop2 she had taken in the River, togr with the flat bottom boat & all the rest of the boats; was in form'd by the Hope she had 3 Men kill'd & sevl men wounded of the different Ships —
Saturday 16
AM at 10 came down & anchd here the Blonde First pt moderate Breezs & vble Wr middle & latter pts moderate & Clear PM loos'd Sails to dry
Sunday 17
AM at 6 weigh'd & came to Sail in Compy with the Mermaid & Hope Left riding in Machias Bay the Blonde 3
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/762.
2. Betsey, carrying wood and sent to Halifax, N.S.Arch., vol. 496, Vice Admiralty Register, vol. 6 (1777-82), 58.
3. See Collier to Philip Stephens, August 16.