The Priscilla a Privateer Scooner belonging to this State, commanded by Captain Fowke, on the Night of the sixteenth ult. unfortunately struck on the Abrollio Bank near Turks Island, and soon went to Pieces. Part of the Crew got into a Canoe, which it is supposed was overset; the rest got upon different Parts of the Wreck; but we hear of none that were saved except two Frenchmen, who were taken off a Piece of the Quarter Deck on the 21st (from which the Captain, Lieutenant and a Mr. McCarthy were washed the day before) nearly exhausted, by a Bermuda Sloop.
About three Weeks ago, the Ship Adventure, Captain Freaser, from Philadelphia, bound for this Port, laden with Hare's Porter, Flour and Bread, was chased ashore by 3 English Frigates, upon a Bank 7 Miles within Cape-May. The People got ashore; but the Men of War's Tenders set Fire to and burnt the Ship and Cargo.
The British Frigates Phoenix of 44 Guns, Liverpool of 28, and the Fowey of 24, were cruizing off the Capes of Virginia about 10 Days ago. The first named had, on the 1st Inst. taken the Raleigh Brigantine of War, Capt. Traves of 16 Guns, belonging to the State of Virginia. ー The late frequent Captures of Brigantines of 14 to 16 Four and Six Pounders, by Frigates of 28 to 44 Nine and Twelve Pounders, having clearly proved, that such Vessels are not the fittest for the Service of the Continent or the respective States, and only deprive them of the Service of many useful brave Men; it is said to be in Contemplation, to fit no Ships in future mounting less than 26 Nine Pounders, the Gallies to mount 32-Pounders in the Bow, 18-Pounders to the Stern, and Nines in the Waste.
Yesterday the Rutledge Privateer of this Port, commanded by Capt. Jacob Milligan, _returned from a Cruize ー in which she took, in sight of Carlisle-Bay, on the 4th of March, the Brig Endeavour, Thomas Dwyer, Master, from Aferica bound for Barbadoes, formerly mentioned in this Paper, ー on the 2d of April, near Dominica, the Brig Diana, Heylin Mayberry, Master, from Cork, bound for Dominica, laden with Provisions ー both carried into Martinique; ー On the 30th of April, close to Sambrero, an uncommissioned Cruizer of Antigua (a Scooner) of 6 Swivel Guns, called the Royal George, and commanded by Mathew Moffat; she was in Company with another Antigua Cruizer, a sloop of 8 Guns, commanded by one Grant, which got away; ー and on the 3d instant, the Sloop Nancy, George Baker Gibbs, Master, from Pensacola bound for Jamaica, laden with Lumber, in which was Passenger, a Mr. Prescott of Jamaica.
Last Tuesday Capt. Milligan fell in with the Greyhound British Frigate, which, from the Course she came and steered, he imagines, had been at St. Augustine, and might be going to New-York. He fired three shot at her, and was so near, as to read the Name in her Stern; she was disguised like a Merchantman, but did not offer to chace the Privateer.
We hear that the Brune Frigate, when she called at Cape Fear, to water, put 29 American Prisoners ashore; amongst them Capt. Lyme, the Master of a Sloop from and belonging to this State, and the Master of a Scooner from Georgia bound to New-England, both which Vessels they burnt.
