1777 Information Recd from Capt Thos Timson, the Nancey this 17 Augt
That Last Thursday the 14th Inst As he was Lying Abrest of Isaac's Shoals Near Cape Charles, in Company with a Arm'd Brig, Capt Blith, and a Galley Capt Sanders Both belonging to the State of Virginia,2 with Sundr[y] orther Vesals, when they descoverd the Enemeys fleat, Standg in from Sea, th[e]y Counted destincly Sixty Saill and many Others that th[e]y Could not Count, att Dusk in the Eavening, then on the mast head of the Brig See the Whole fleet Standing in to the Capes with the Wind S.E. & Tide of Flood Att this time the Brigg and Galley gott under way, fireing Signal gun's to Alarm the Countrey, Capt Timson says he thinks th[e]y Both sent into Chirrystone to Watch the Enimeys motions, Capt Blith Sent his Whale Boat to Williamsbourg to inform them of the fleet — the fleet being Large and Night Coming On Could not discover the Quantity of Man of Ware, amongst them, there Was three Saill of do Friggets had layed between the Capes for Some time before, —
Capt Timson Say's he Attemted to gett out the Same day before he See the Fleet, that was Standing in, A man of Ware lying on the tale of the Midle ground, which Sent two Boats, to take him, which Oblig'd him to turn Back and Anchord by the Brigg.
