(No 4:)
Sir
In addition to the sundry Dispatches now forwarded you Express by His Majesty's Sloop Hawke: I am also to desire you will please to acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that Mr Henry Topham the Naval Storekeeper of Antigua Yard returned here from his leave of Absence the 3d February last, and immediately resumed his Employment.
The same day came into English Harbour the Ship Morant Samuel Carter Master, with Naval Stores for Antigua Yard, which has since been delivered. ー The 11th February arrived here the Ordnance Store Ship Lord Amherst: which having delivered the Ordnance Stores intended for this Yard, to Mr Alsop the Ordnance Storekeeper, proceeded the 27th February to Jamaica.
Captain Thomas Wilkinson of His Majesty's Ship Pearl Departed this Life at English Harbour the 13th February last; and in consequence thereof, I gave the Honble Captain Geo: Keith Elphinstone, an Order to Command the Pearl, The Honble Captain Charles Phipps an Order to Command the Perseus, and I have appointed Mr John Linzee Commander of the Falcon to be Captain of His Majesty's Ship Camilla. The Honble Thomas Windsor first Lieutenant of His Majesty's Ship Portland to be Commander of His Majesty's Sloop Falcon; I have likewise appointed Lieutent William Young to be first Lieutenant of the Portland; Lieutenant William Swiney to be second Lieutenant of the Portland; Lieutenant Billy Douglas from the Hind, to Command the Armed Brigantine Antigua: and have appointed Mr George Edwards from the Roebuck to be Lieutenant of the Hind: which appointments I hope their Lordships will approve.
I shall use the utmost dispatch in my power to forward and send back the Ships belonging to Lord Howe's Squadron that have come here to Clean and Refit; The Roebuck and Pearl have been hove down: and together with the Perseus and Mermaid will be ready to return to the Coast of America in three or four days: The Falcon is along side the Wharf preparing to Careen and the Flora, and Camilla, for the greater Expedition will get a good Parliamient Heel; and Supplies of such Stores as they may want.
Captain Thomas Coleman of the Marines having been very much indisposed at the Naval Hospital here for some time past, the Surgeons of the Hospital and of the Portland represented to me it would be necessary for his recovery that he should be sent to England: I have therefore given Captain Coleman Permission to come to England in His Majestys Ship Hawke and being informed Mr William Conyers is made a Captain Lieutenant of Marines I have ordered Him to be entered on the Portlands Books as Captain Lieutenant and do Duty as such.
The Inclosures herewith Marked No 1: 2: 3: 4 and 5. are the Account of the Appointment and removal of Officers between the 1st October 1776 and the 10th March 1777 a List of Prizes taken since the last Account forwarded the 9th December 1776. Copies and Abstracts of Orders given to His Majesty's Ships on their several Cruizing Stations. State and Condition: and the Disposition of the Squadron under my Command which You will be pleased likewise to Communicate to their Lordships. I am Sir [&c.]
[Endorsed] 10 March 1777 Antigua Vice Adml Young (No 4) Rd 26 Apl 1777
