April 1778 Sunday 26
The Extrameties of the Land [Nova Scotia] Bearing from West to North
at 4 AM Saw a brigg in the SW Quarter Standing to the Westward made the Signal & gave chace Light airs the Chace bore away the Schooner1 made the Signal for an Enemy Continued our Chace thick Fogg and Calm Employed with Our Sweeps Saw the Chace Distance 2 Miles—
Cleared up a little saw the Land Bearing NW Dist 5 or 6 leags. Light Airs & Thick fogg hear the Report of Several Guns from the Schooner which She fired as a Signal Every time She Saw the chace at 2 Sprung up a Breeze Saw the Chace a head at 3 Do Cleard up Saw the Chace bring too Sent the Boat on Board found her2 to be from Nance in france as they Said Bound to Santlemingo but finding a grate Quantity of Sea & Soldiers Cloathing on board Sent an Offr. and hands on board to Carrie her into Halifax at 5 PM made Sail the Arburthnot & three prises3 in Company
D, UkLPR, Adm. 52/1636, part 3, fols. 40–41.
1. Schooner tender Arbuthnot.
2. According to the libel filed in the Vice Admiralty Court of Nova Scotia on 30 Apr., Les Deux Amis was a brigantine, H. F. Charlemeaux, master, on a voyage from Nantes to Saint Domingue, with salt, canvas and tea, mounting 2 carriage guns and swivels, and manned by nineteen French and one New England seamen. On 20 May, Capt. Sir George Collier of H.M. frigate Rainbow claimed a share of the prize because his tender, Arbuthnot, was present at the time of capture. This claim led the judge to postpone judgment. CaNSHP, Vol. 496, Vice Admiralty Register, vol. 6 (1777–1782), p. 127.
3. Ship York, brigantine Les Deux Amis and schooner Sally.
