July 1778 Sunday 5th.
do. Cape [Asatague]1 WBN Distance 16 Miles
at 2 [AM] Taken aback at 4 out reefs & TKd. at 7 TKd. at 9 saw 3 Sail to the Wt:wd. ½ Past 10 bore away & made Sail saw 2 sail to the So.wd. at 11 haul'd our Wind at 12 hove too—
Cape Asatague NWbW Diste. 5 Leagues—
Light breezes & fair Wear. PM at 1 Spoke the Roebucks Tender2 & boats stood to the So.wd. saw a fleet to the SE3 at 2 haul'd our wind and Stood from the fleet at 5 the fleet form'd 2 divisions one of which Chace'd us the other the Ship to the So.wd.4 at 8 got the Sweeps and boats out towing in to the NW at 9 the Ship to the So.wd. Engag'd at 10 the Ships in Chace of us haul'd thair wind to the So.wd.
D, UkLPR, Adm. 52/1789, part 9, fol. 271–72.
1. Assateague I., Maryland.
2. Armed brig Stanley (H.M. frigate Roebuck's tender), which had been in company with Haerlem from 29 to 30 June off Fenwick I., Delaware.
3. The Master's Log describes the fleet as "the[y] Appearing not to be British Ships." UkLPR, Adm. 52/1789, part 9, fol. 252. This was the French fleet commanded by Vice-amiral comte d'Estaing.
4. Probably armed brig tender Stanley.