Eagle Off New York
April 23d 1777
Number 28
Sir —
By this Conveyance you will receive the Duplicates of my last Dispatches of the 20th and 22d of February, 31st of March and 8th of this Month sent in the Despencer Packet, which sailed the 11th Instant.
I have since been advised of the Return of the Roebuck, Perseus, Camilla and Pearl off the Delaware the 6th of this Month.
Captain Hamond arrived at Antigua the 27th of January; But was not able with the utmost Diligence and every possible Countenance and Assist ance from Vice Admiral Young, to get the Ships ready again for the Sea before the 16th of March.
His Delay in that Respect, proceeded from the Sickness which prevailed amongst the different Ships Companies; The inadequate Number of Arti ficers belonging to the Yard; And the Inconveniences peculiar to English Harbour as a fitting Port, where neither Water nor Wood are to be procured.
I very unexpectedly find that Vice Admiral Young has been pleased to make several Removals of the Captains in those Ships, consequent of the Death of the late Captain Wilkinson; And to appoint (as of his Depart ment) to the Vacancies occasioned by the Loss of that gallant Officer. A similar Nomination has also been made in place of the deceased Purser of the Falcon.
I have not been favored by the Vice Admiral with any Signification of his Motives for those (as I conceive) unprecedented Infringements of the Powers and Rights by the Lords Com-missioners of the Admiralty granted to Commanders in Chief respectively, for the special Encouragement of the Officers serving under them. But deeming the Appointments to be unwarrantable and invalid, I have-given Orders for superseding them; And for the Officer commanding the Falcon, with the Acting Purser upon the Arrival of the Sloop (not refitted in time to accompany the Roebuck) to be provided with a passage back to the Portland the first suitable Opportunity.
Flattering myself that my Conduct has been perfectly regular in this Case, I presume to hope for their Lordships fullest Countenance of my Proceedings.
As One or more Vessels of a Construction to draw but little Water and be at the same time capable of carrying heavy Cannon, are wanted for the proposed Operations of the ensuing Campaign, it has been necessary to orderthe Grand Dutchess of Russia Transport to be taken for that purpose. The Ship being one hundred and twenty feet Keel and thirty-six feet Beam, will be reduced and fitted for carrying Three six-pounders on each Side upon the Quarter Deck, and Seven twenty-four pounders in the same manner on the Main Deck; Which she promises to be capable of supporting with Facility. She will have two spare ports in Addition for moving so many more Guns over to either Side occasionally. It is proposed that she should be manned with One hundred and twenty Seamen and Thirty Marines, Officers included; And have two Sea-Officers in the Character of Lieutenants, which are requisite from the Nature of her intended Appointment.
The late Agent, Lieutenant [John] Henry, who has distinguished himself in a very particular Manner on various Occasions during the Progress. of this unhappy War, is nominated to command this Ship, called the Vigilant. And if their Lordships shall think fit to order her to be received in the Class of Sloops on the Establishment of the Navy, I am by every Obligation of Duty bound to recommend Lieutenant Henry to their favorable Notice for being confirmed in that Appointment. Mr Thomas Goldsbury and Mr Charles Cotton officiate as Lieutenants.
The Tartar sailed the 15th Instant with the Officers and Recruits, who being prevented from effectirig their passage up the St Laurence towar[ds] the Close of the last Year, had been directed to th[is] Port. She is to take from Halifax the Nottingham Army Store-Ship, with such other Ships as winte[red] there and were also destined for Quebec. Captain Ommanney is charged with the Letter for Captain Pearson, and is to be himself governed by the Orders, the Copies of which are herewith enclosed. By the same Convoy, Fourteen Transports have been sent to receive a Supply o[f] Forage ordered to be prepared in the Bay of Fundy for the Service of this Army.
Sir Charles Douglas appearing to lay some Stress in his different Letters on the Observation that he had not received Instructions for his Conduct in the Direction of the Naval Services he had in Charge, during his late Command in the St Laurence; I am obliged to submit, that the Services on that Occasion being eventual, no special Instructions could have qeen given with Propriety at this Distance: Unless in regard to any additional Aid he might need, if his Force was insufficient for the purpose of his Appointment; Or for the suitable Employment of the Ships exceeding the Number that was requisite, in case any of the Frigates then in the St Laurence could be spared for other Services. On this Principle, I humbly contend that his General Instructions of the 13th of June last, were competent to his Circumstances.
Captain [James] Hawker finding the Mermaid's Bowsprit to be sprung the 14th of January, whilst upon his Station off the Nantucket Shoals, appears to have been by that Accident and the State of the Weather subsequent thereto, compelled to bear up for Antigua. He arrived there the 19th of the following Month; And on the 16th of March sailed for this Port, under Orders from Vice Admiral Young to convoy the Unity Ordnance Transport and several others with Cloathing and other Necessaries for the Army; Being the missing part of the Thames's Convoy which had steered for Antigua, the Euphrates excepted. They all arrived here last Week.
The General determining upon an Attempt to destroy a very considerable Magazine said to be formed by the Rebels in the Province of Connecticut, several Regiments were embarked in twelve Transports the 21st Instant to be landed on the Coast of that Province, as Governor [William] Tryon, who commands the Detachment, should require.
I have committed the Conduct of the Naval Department to Captain [Henry] Duncan of the Eagle. He is embarked in the Senegal, and has the Swan al[so] under his Command: Those Sloops being deemed of sufficient Force, and most proper for the intended Operation.
A Diversion was thought fit to be made at the same time, up the North River. Twelve Transports in which a small Corps of Troops are embarked, attended by the Ambuscade, Mermaid, Daphne, Rose and Dependance Galley, have been appointed for that Service.
The two Detachments sailed to proceed according to their respective Destinations yesterday.
I am, with great Consideration, Sir [&c.]
[Endorsed] Recd 5 June Answd the 7 June