March 1777 Thursday 13th
Cape Henry S38°W 30 Leagues at 7 A M saw a Sail in the SE quarter, wore Ship & gave Chace out 3d reef of the Topsls & let the reef out of the Mainl carried away the Lower Steering sail Yard, reef the Topsails, at 11 brought the Chace too, which proved to be the Sloop Dolphin, Wm Beard Master,2 from Madeira, bound to Philadelphia with wine, sent the Cutter onboard to bring the prisoners out Strong Gales, the Cutter onboard the prize with the Boatswain, Gunner & 7 Men, at 2 came on a violent squall of Wind, clued up the Sails and handed them brought too under bare poles ½ past 7 PM set the Mizn Staysl
Friday 14th
at 7 AM set the Main Staysl at 10 wore Ship the prize ½ a mile a Stern Strong Gales Ditto Weather, at 5 PM the Sloop made a Signal of distress, sent aboat onboard her, found she had split all her Sails, the Cutter stove & broke a Drift in the Gale of Wind & lost with Six Oars & 2 Boat Hooks, got the people out and set her on fire.
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/311.
2. Vice Admiral Howe's prize list of May 22, 1777 gives the master's name as Jonathan Clark, London Gazette, July 8 to July 12, 1777.