[June 1776] Tuesday 18
At Anchor in Block Island Bay AM sailmkr repairing the Mizn Staysl Light Breezes and Clear at 3 P M weighed & made Sail to the Et ward, saw a Sail to the N E gave Chace at. 6 Came up with the Chace which prov'd to be the Ship Columbus one of the American Privateers, fired 3 Broad sides into her at that time abreast of Rhode Island Light house the wind at S W with a strong flood tide setting into the Harbour obliged us to haul by the Wind to Clear Brentons reef at 8 In 1 reef Topsails.
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/181.