May 1775 Wednesday 17
Off Castle William Island [Boston Harbor]
at 12 A.M. saw four armed Rebels on Dorchester Neck
at 5 PM. heard the Report & saw the smoke of two Cannon fired on the Main over the Westermost point of Thompsons Island. at 8 called all hands to quarters. Saw a great fire in the Town of Boston, at 12 the Fire still burning fierce.2
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/663.
2. The fire, in Dock Square, destroyed a number of buildings and was subdued with difficulty. The cause was never determined.