July 78
day 31
Moor'd within Dyers Island 1/3 Cables length from Rhode Fri-Island [R.I.]
at 8 AM Recd: Orders from Captain Brisbane1 the Senior Officer of the Port to take everything on board again and to return with ye Ship and Anchor in the Inner Harbour of Newport (in consequence of General Sr. Robert Pigot's information “that the Guns & Stores we had landed must unavoidably fall into the Enemys hands if the French Fleet Enterd the Harbour2 as he shoud then withdraw the Troops advanc'd on the North ward of the Island within the Barrier.”—[)] Sway'd up, bent all Sails, & got on bd: all the spare Sails, Recd. a Scow and Batteaux to get our Guns & Stores onbd: at 6 AM one of the Enemys 74 Gun Ships3 enterd the Harbr: in the Narragansett passage unmolested, & Anchd close to the Ship that came in Yesterday Morning
Moor'd within Dyers Island ⅓ Cables length from Rhode Island Modt. Breezes and fair Empd. getting all our Guns, Stores, Powder & Provision on board
D, UkLPR, Adm. 51/181, part 7.
1. Captain John Brisbane commanding H.M. frigate Flora.
2. That is, Narragansett Bay.
3. French Navy ship of the line Fantasque, Capitaine de vaisseau Pierre-André bailli de Suffren de Saint-Tropez, commander, joining the French Navy ship of the line Sagittaire, commanded by Capitaine de vaisseau François-Hector, comte d'Albert de Rions.