March 1778 Monday 9.
Barbados SWBW 43 Leagues— Moderate and Fair. at 6 am saw two sail in the N.E. made the signal & gave chace. at 11 fired two shot at the Headmost ship who took no notice of them. at ½ past made the signal for the Ceres to tack, at noon repeated it. still in chace. Barbados So 67 Leagues— Ditto Weather. at ½ past 12 the Ceres came up with the sternmost ship, who Hoisted Rebel Colours & Exchanged a Broadside with her in passing. At 1 came to Action with the before mentioned ship as did the Ceres; and at ½ past 1 the Rebel struck, the Headmost ship making off. The prize proved to be the Alfred of 20. 9prs. & 181 men commanded by Elisha Hinman,1 who informed me the other ship was the Raleigh of 32 guns.2 Employed 'till 3 pm taking the prisoners out, & then made sail after the other ship. at 9 PM lost sight of the Prize.
D, UkLPR, Adm., 51/60, part 2, fol. 58.
1. Continental Navy ship Alfred, Elisha Hinman, commander, Congress ship of war, mounting 20 guns, crew of 180 men, 300 tons burthen, sent into Barbados. Young's Prize List, 20 July 1778, UkLPR, Adm. 1/310.
2. Continental Navy frigate Raleigh, Capt. Thomas Thompson, commander, returning to America from France.
