Septr 1777 Tuesday 2d
Cape Negro WBN 5 Leag at 8[AM] Saw the land about the River Jordon & a sail Close in Shore gave chace little wind sent the Yaul on board her saw a large ship to the Wtwd gave chace at 10 Light Breezes & Clear still in chace at Merd: saw a brig in Shore Comeing up fast with the chace All hands at their Quarters — Modt and Clear Wr Coming up with the Chace at 1 PM made a private signal did hot percive that she answered it at 5 Do TKd to the Nd after the chace at 6 spoke her which proved to be His Majestys ship Mermaid hauld to the Wwd in Chace of the Brig Cut the Brig off from Getting Round the Cape upon which they Run her a shore in Barrington bay the prize Sloop in Comy
Wednesday 3
at 2 AM come to an Anchor in 14 fms the Cape ENE 4 Miles at 5 up anchor saw the Mermaid Close in with Cape Sables at 6 AM brot a Sloop too from Halifax bound to Cumberland at 11 in Top G. Sails at Merdn Come to an Anchor near the Brig Sloop in Corny At Anchor in Barrington Bay Fresh Breezes found the Brig to be from the Grenadoes bound to London had been taken by a Reble privateer Sloop Called the Black snake2 the Rebles had gon off in the Boat after Running her a shore at 9 PM got the Brig a float without Damage her loading Consisted of Rum Sugar Coffe & Cotton
1. PRO, Admiralty 52/1636.
2. Massachusetts privateer sloop Black Snake, Captain William Carlton, had captured the brigantine Sophia, John Aire, master, on August 23. This recapture was credited to H.M.S. Mermaid and Sophia was condemned as a legal prize on September 26, 1777, N.S. Arch., vol. 496, Vice Admiralty Register, vol. 6 (1777-1782), 61-62, 91.
