December 1775 Monday 4.
Cape Ann So ½ Wt distance 12 Leagues. At 1 [A.M.] soundings 57 fm at 2, 42, [fm] at 3, 34 do ground at ½ past saw a Brigg standing to the Northward, at 4 set Double Reef'd Topsails, Tack'd ship and stood after her at 6 in 3d reef of Main & Foretopsail & handed the Mizen do at 8 saw Cape Ann land W ½ N about 6 leagues and laid Maintopsail to the Mast, 2 sail in sight at 9 handed the Foretopsail. First And Middle parts strong gales And Squally latter Moderate & fair at 1 P M passed by us his Majesty's ship Lively, at ¾ past 4 bore away And gave Chase to a Brigg to Leeward set the Foretopsail And let out 2 Reefs at ½ 5 past let out the 3d reef of Maintopsail and fired 8, 6 Pdrs at the Chase & brought her to, at 8 close reef'd the Topsails and handed them and lay to as did the Brigg at 10 his Majesty's ship Lively Came up to us
Tuesday 5.
Cape Ann No 62 Wt dist: 18 Leagues. at ½ past 6 A M hoisted the Cutter out And sent her on Board the Brigg, which proved the Washington of 6, Six Pounder & four fours, having 10 Swivells & Seventy four Men,2 took her people out And sent the Lieutt a Mate & 12 Men on board her at ½ past 10 Made sail Fresh breezes & Cloudy at 1 P M wore Ship And brought to with the Maintopsail to the Mast And spoke with his Majesty's ship Lively And at ½ past made sail at 3 close reef'd the Topsails at ½ past 4 handed the Foretopsail & saw Cape Codd SWbW, 6 leagues the Brigg in Co at 11 handed the Maintopsail
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/375.
2. This was the first British capture of an American warship.