March 1778 Saturday 28th:
at Rhode Island AM sent the Boats to Assist the Lord Townsend Ordinance Ship at Rhode Island First part Modt: & cloudy latter fresh Gales & cloudy ½ past Noon made Signl: for Boats Mann'd and Ann'd Do: the Spitfire Galley & Boats went to Assist the Maidstone & Sphynx to destroy a Rebel Frigate1 who was aground in the Nariganset Passage oposite the Light House2 at 1 the Mermaid Slipt & Sail'd down ½ past the Maidstone begun to fire & from thence till 6 the Maidstone & Sphynx stood Off & on firing on the Shore & Rebel Ship ¼ past 6 the Maidstones Boat, Cover'd by the Galley & other Boats sett the Rebel Ship onfire & burnt Her at 8 the Frigates Galley & boats return'd
D, UkLPR, Adm. 52/1880, fols. 17-18.
1. Continental Navy ship Columbus, attempting to break out to sea through the Narragansett or West Passage. See note 2, immediately above.
2. Beaver Tail (or Rhode Island) Lighthouse on Conanicut Point.
