Honble Sirs

Yesterday arrived at Spithead His Majestys Sloop Ranger Captn Wills from South Carolina with an Express; and in the Afternoon on the proper officers examining the Baggage of a Gentleman who came Passenger they found Eighty Letters, which in Obedience to your Order of the 24th February, we forwarded (in a Box) by the Coach last Night under the Seals of office Addressed to your Honors

This Ship left South Carolina the 15th Ulto and brings an Account that His Majestys Ships, Bristol, Experiment, Actaeon, Siren, Solebay, Active and Sphinx under the Command of Sir Peter Parker, attempted on the 28th June last, to get over the Bar of Charles Town River with intent to land the Troops on Sullivans Island In this Attempt, some of the Ship particularly the Bristol and Actaeon grounded on the Bar by which they became exposed for a considerable time to the continual fire of a Fort erected by the Rebels to annoy any Shipping making such Attempt; whereby the Bristol was much shattered, and the Actaeon so Circumstanced, that Sir Peter ordered her to be set on Fire which was done, and She soon afterwards blew upー

Captain [John] Morris of the Bristol lost his Arm & died soon Afterward ー Captain [Alexander] Scott of the Experiment likewise lost a Arm, but is in a fair way to recover Lieutenant Pike of the Active was killed ー The Bristol had two Masts Shot away. The following is the best Account we can collect of the Numbers Killed and Wounded Vizt

We are with great Respect Honble Sirs [&c.]

Custom H. [Portsmouth] 22 Augt 1776ー