July 1778 Sunday 5th.
do. [Sandy Hook] N3°W Dist 27 Lgs.
First part fresh Gales & squally, middle light Airs, latter Modt. & fair, AM Saw Sixteen sail of Men of War to the Sowd. standing to the Wt.ward, Suppose them to be the French Fleet under the Count D’Estang, at Noon the Fleet from Wt. to SW, observd them make many signals
do. [Sandy Hook] N5°E Dist 55 Lgs.
Modt. & fair PM at 8 saw a Ship & another Vessel1 to the Wt.ward of the Fleet; from a little after 10 till half past 11 heard a smart firing & saw the Flashes, the Fleet WbS,
D, UkGrNMM, ADM L/M/27. Journal kept by Lt. George Countess, second lieutenant of H.M. frigate Maidstone.
1. The two ships were armed brig Stanley (H.M. frigate Roebuck's tender) and H.M. armed sloop Haerlem, which were being pursued by vessels in the French Fleet. See Master's Journal of H.M. armed sloop Haerlem, 5 July, immediately below.
