(Read) Copy of a letter from Captain Hugh Cloberry Christian: dated Fog land the 30th. July 1778. to Captain Brisbane relative to the loss of his Majesty's Sloop Kings Fisher.
Sr.
Fogland [R.I.] July 30th. 1778.
Yesterday Evening about 5 oClock two French Frigates1 and an Armed Brig2 entered the Seaconnet Passage.3 I weighed anchor with his Majesty's Sloop Kings Fisher under my Command and Run up to this place, the Frigates Anchoring near the Station which I had left, I began to land the Stores and Provisions agreeable to orders,4 at 1 oClock this Day the Frigates and Brig (after makeing some Signals) weighed and stood towards us with a strong Breeze of wind at SW. as I saw no probability of defending the Ship against such Superior force, I set her on fire when the Enemy were just within Cannon Shot, the Provisions and the greatest part of the Stores were landed, as were 2 of the Guns. the rest were Spiked and the Ship effectually destroyed, I made known to the Officers commanding the Gallies5 my intention of destroying the Kings Fisher and desired them to Run up into Shoal water, to Ground their Vessels and to act as circumstances might require, but to prevent the Capture of their vessels by burning them, those Officers have I presume made known to you the steps which they have taken. I have the Honor to be Sr. [&c.]
Hugh C. Christian.
Copy, UkLPR, Adm. 1/5310, fol. 175–76. Addressed below close: “To./Capt. Brisbane," This letter was read at the court-martial of Comdr. Hugh C. Christian for the loss of H.M. Sloop Kingsfisher held at New York on 28 Sept. 1778 in H.M.S. Royal Oak.
1. French Navy frigates Aimable, commanded by Lieutenant de vaisseau Antoine-Stanislas-Xavier de Curières de Castelnau de Saint-Cosme-Sainte-Eulalie, and Alcmenè, commanded by Lieutenant de vaisseau Pierre-René-Bénigne-Mériadec, comte de Bonneval Ruffo
2. Former H.M. armed brigantine Stanley, under the command of French Navy officier auxiliare Boulouvard de Barentin.
3. That is, Sakonnet Passage.
4. This refers to an extract from Vice Adm, Viscount Howe's letter to Capt. John Brisbane, 19 July, concerning the landing of guns and men from the warships and their possible destruction, which Brisbane sent to each of his naval captains on 26 July. See Vice Admiral Viscount Howe to Captain John Brisbane, 19 July, above.
5. Lt. Philip D'Auvergne, commander of H.M. galley Alarm, and Lt. James Saumarez, commander of H.M. galley Spitfire.
