N^o. 44.
Sir

The General¹ advising me of his Intention to send a Packet immediately to England, I avail myself of the opportunity, to acquaint you for the Information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, respecting the Progress of the Military Services in which the Ships of War have been concerned since the date of my last Letter of the 25^th: of October,² the Duplicate of which is herewith enclosed.

I mentioned in that Letter, the Preparations making for the Attack meditated on the Works the Rebels had constructed on either Shore, for preventing an open Communication by Water with the Army at Philadelphia; on which it was obvious to them that the farther Operations of the Campaign would greatly depend.

The Wind still continuing to prevent the Vigilant from passing to the Rear of the Enemy's Works on Fort Island; by the only Channel practicable for that purpose, the opportunity was taken by the King's Forces, & by the Enemy, with equal Assiduity, to strengthen the Preparations judged expedient on either part for the proposed Attack.

The Officers and Seamen of the Ships of War and Transports, were employed in the mean time with unremitting Fatigue and Perseverance, to convey Provisions, Artillery and Stores, to the Schylkill, between Fort Island and the Pensylvania Shore. Six 24 Pounders from the Eagle, and Four 32 Pounders from the Somerset, transported in the same manner, & the requisite proportions of Ammunition, were mounted in the Batteries erected by the General's² Appointment on Province Island.³

The Wind becoming favorable the 15^th. Instant, that first Occasion was taken for ordering the Ships upon the intended Service.

The Somerset and Isis were appointed to proceed up the Eastern Channel of the River, to act against the Fort in Front: The Roebuck, Pearl, and Liverpool, with the Cornwallis Galley and some smaller armed-Vessels, against a Battery with heavy Artillery which the Rebels had lately opened on a Point above and near to Manto Creek; in a situation to rake the Ships anchored to fire upon the Fort, and more advantageously chosen as the shoalness of the Water did not admit Ships to approach within a desirable distance of the Work.

The Vigilant, with a Hulk⁴ mounting Three 18 Pounders, commanded by Lieu^t. Botham of the Eagle, proceeded at the same time through the Channel round Hog-Island, and anchored on that side the Fort, according to the intention pointed out, for co-operating with the Batteries on the Pensylvania Shore.

The Isis being as well placed in the Eastern Channel as the Circumstances of the Navigation would permit, rendered very essential Service against the Fort and Gallies much to the personal Honor of Cap^t. Cornwallis and Credit of the Discipline in his Ship. The Roebuck and other Frigates stationed against the Battery, were equally well conducted.

Greater Caution being necessary in placing the Somerset, that Ship could not be carried as far up the Channel as the Isis was advanced.

The Impression made by the Batteries on Province Island (before very considerable) being united with the well-directed Efforts from the Vigilant and Hulk, soon silenced the Artillery of the Fort: And farther Preparations being in Progress for opening the Estocade and forcing the Works next Morning, the Enemy set fire to and evacuated the Fort during the Night.

The Numbers of the Enemy killed and wounded, appeared to have been very considerable. Those in the different Ships, [as] stated in the annexed Return, were much less than could be supposed; particularly of the [Isis] and Roebuck, which were struck many times from the Gallies and Works.

As a farther Evidence to their Lordships of the meritorious Conduct of the several Officers therein named, I have added the General's concurring Sentiments signified to me on the Occasion. Captain Duncan remained several Weeks with the Army, to superintend the different nautic Services and Preparations before mentioned.

A Detachment from the Army under the Command of Lord Cornwallis, having been landed the 18^th. at Billingport (where a Post had been some time before established) for attacking the Redoubt at Red Bank, the Enemy abandoned and blew up the Work—They had passed several of their Gallies unperceived above the Town of Philadelphia in the Night of the 19^th. which proved very favorable for the purpose; and attempted to do the same with the rest of the Gallies and other Water-Force the following Night: But being seasonably discovered; they were opposed with so much Effect by Lieutenant Watt of the Roebuck (ordered by Captain Hammond before my Arrival to take his Station in the Delaware Prize near the Town) that not more than Three or Four of the former appear to have escaped: And being otherwise unable to prevent the Capture of the rest of their armed-Craft (consisting of Two Zebecques, the Two Floating-Batteries, and several Ships, besides Fire-Vessels, amounting to about Seventeen in Number) they were quitted and burnt. Lieutenant Watt having testified great Propriety and Spirit on this Occasion I have continued him in the Command of the Delaware, retained as an armed-Ship in the Service to remain near the Town of Philadelphia, where such additional Naval Force is particularly requisite. (And if Their Lordships shall think fit to have that Ship purchased and received into His Majesty's Navy on the Establishment of a Sloop of War, I beg leave to recommend the Appointment of Lieutenant Watt to the Command thereof, on such Establishment.)

A more accurate Inspection of the Obstructions to the Navigation of the River adjacent to Fort Island, becoming practicable under under the Circumstances beforementioned, Two Channels were discovered through which the Transports containing the Provisions, Stores and other Necessaries for the Army might proceed to Philadelphia. They were ordered up the River accordingly, to be afterwards secured to the Wharfs of the Town, for the approaching Winter Months. 

The Vigilant, and the Cornwallis Galley will be to remain with the Delaware at the Town, in such Stations as the General deems expedient for the defence of it: and the Roebuck, Pearl, Camilla, and Zebra will be left there also for any occasional Service under the chief Command of Cap^t. Hammond, during my Absence with the other Ships of War, for which no sufficient Retreat is to be here obtained.

When these Arrangements have been completed, I intend proceeding to Rhode Island, with such of the larger Ships as may not be immediately appointed for particular cruizing Services. I shall then deliver Their Lordships Instructions to the Rear-Admiral, that he may repair to his destined Command at Jamaica, as soon as I am able to make a proper Disposition for the Conduct of the Squadron attached to the central Station where he is now detained; Commodore Hotham's presence being indispensable; in the mean time; at New York.

I have on this head farther to represent the great Difficulties I am under in the present Circumstances of the War, for want of the Assistance to be derived from the requisite Number of Flag, or other Commanding Officers, necessary in this extensive Charge; more especially since the Illness of Captain Griffith who has been incapable of Business ever since his Arrival in this River, has deprived me of the benefit I before received from his able Services. And I am to entreat that in the Nomination of such Officers (which I am opinion should not be less than Three, or even Four, including Commodore Hotham from whose Talents I have received the most essential Aid) Their Lordships will be pleased to take into their Consideration the particular Officer in whom they will permit me to vest the Authority with which I have the Honor to be intrusted, in case of my greater Inability to execute the various Duties of this very complicated Service; which I must acknowledge with much Concern I have great Reason to apprehend my impaired Constitution will not allows me to attend, with the Punctuality that the Nature and Importance of it requires.

The unfortunate Event of Lieu^t. Gen^l. Burgoyne's Operations with the Northern Army, terminating as I am advised by the Commander in Chief, with the Surrender of those Troops agreeable to the Tenor of a Convention executed the 16^th. of last October, has rendered a suitable Provision necessary to be made for their Conveyance to Europe. A proper Number of Transports has been appropriated for that Occasion. But as it would be scarce practicable at this Season of the Year for light Transports to gain the Port of Boston, where the Embarkation is conditioned to take place, the Transports have been ordered under Convoy of the Raisonable to Rhode-Island: that if the proposed Alteration is adopted, and the Troops can be embarked at that Port, they may be the sooner released.

The Rear-Admiral is directed to furnish Two Frigates for attending the Transports to Europe; subject in their more particular Appointment to the desires of the Lieut General, or other Commanding Officer present with the Troops, conformable to the Intentions of the Commander in Chief forwarded by the same opportunity. The Captains nominated for this purpose, are upon their Arrival in England, to acquaint you therewith and transmitting the Particulars of the Orders and Requisitions by which they have been governed, they will be to wait for their Lordships Commands in consequence at the Ports to which they have been respectively directed.

In my Letter of the 29^th. of June [ultim^o.]⁵ I reported the destination of the Milford to attempt the Seizure of a foreign Ship said to be taking in Masts in Kennebec River. The Captain, Sir William Burnaby went there, and afterwards to Sheepscot River for the same purpose, but was not able to procure any Information correspondent to the Intelligence upon which his Instructions were founded. A subsequent Attempt has been executed in Sheepscot River by Sir George Collier in the Rainbow with Effect. But the Intricacy of the Navigation, and Opposition made by the armed Inhabitants from the Shore in the narrower part of the River where the Ship had been conveyed, did not admit of her being moved down to the Rainbow. The Officer ordered upon this Service, was therefore obliged to destroy the Ship. Four Masts of different Dimensions were brought away in the Rainbow for Use in the Yard at Halifax. Sir George Collier succeeded farther to destroy some Stores and other Materials provided in the Harbour of Mechias for making Incursions upon the opposite Shore of Nova Scotia.⁶

On the 9^th. Instant I received Letters from Captain Pearson dated the 1^st. of last August from Quebec. He acquaints me therein that he had found it necessary, in consequence of Gen^l. Burgoyne's Application to send all the Supernumeraries which arrived from England, being 185 in number, for the Lake Service. He does not specify what had been done with the Transports detained by the Absence of their Crews: but who adds that he had sent an armed-Ship to England with the Dispatches from General Burgoyne to make known the Progress of the Northern Army, at that time upon the Lakes, I conclude he will have advised you by the same Conveyance, of the farther Particulars necessary to be communicated respecting the several Services he had in charge. His Letters have been forwarded to me from Halifax. But all Intercourse with the S^t. Lawrence being impracticable since the Receipt of those Letters, I have not been able to send any Instructions to him on their Contents. I am [&c.]

The Dimensions of the Delaware armed-Ship are added herewith. And when the Ship is provided with proper [artillery] she would I think be rendered a very serviceable Frigate.

[Enclosure]

Dimensions of the Armed Ship named the Delaware, surrendered to the Troops under the Command of the Earl Cornwallis, at Philadelphia.

Length on the Gun Deck—121 Feet.

Keel for Tonnage—96—

Extreme Breadth—32.6—

The Ship lately built, Mounts twenty four Guns on the Upper Deck; And when furnished with proper Artillery, capable of carrying twelve Pounders with great facility. 

Copy, UkLPR, Adm. 1/488,88. Docketed: "In Ld Howes Lre/dated 23d Nov. 1777/N. 3-."

[Enclosure]

Return of the Number of Men Killed and Wounded on board the different Ships employed in the Attack of the Works of the Enemy on Fort-Island, their Armed Craft, and other Defences erected to obstruct the passage of the River Delaware on the 15^th: day of November 1777.

D, UkLPR, Adm. 1/488. Docketed: "In L^d Howes Ltr/dated 23^d Nov^r. 1777/N^o. 1."

1. H.M. sloop Fury.