November 1776. Saturday 23d
Running up the Narrows for New York. Light breezes and hazey. at ½ past 10 (PM) heard the report of Guns in the SW quar At 11 made Sail, saw two Ships & 2 Sloops bearing down on us, ½ past made the Private Signl and Cleared Ship for Action. At 12, One of the Ships hailed us, but not to be understood.
Sunday 24th
set the Foresail in order to Tack and get to Windwd — the Two Ships fir'd several Shot at us. ½ past Tack'd and run close alongside one of the Ships which we hailed and proved to be the Willm & Mary Transport from London for New York with 3 Captures.2 2 Brot too at Noon made Sail. 4 Sail in Company.
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/688.
2. The prize ships, Hawke, S. Williams, master, and Harlequin, Nathaniel Phillips, master, both from Hispaniola for Rhode Island, and retaken transport Layton, Howe's Prize List, March 31, 1777, PRO, Admiralty 1/487.