March 1776 Saturday 2
Moored at Boston Mode & fair at ½ past 11 P M heard the report of several great Guns & saw a shell that was thrown into the town by the rebels soon after the Garrison began to heave shells & Shot from which time it Continued (Occasionally) with the rebels until
Sunday 3
5 A M & with our Garrison till 7. Got the ships Company all under Arms, bent the topsails, Jibb & foresail & recd on board Water
Monday 4
Do Wr at 9 PM the Canonading & Bombarding as before & Continued until 5 A M recd a twelve Pounder likewise Beer & Water the Carpenters employd as before read the Articles of War &c Do Wr at 7 P M the Canonading & Bombarding
Tuesday 5
as before & Continued untill 5 A M at 10 Unmoord & hove into ½ a Cable on the best Bower & fired Evening & Morning Gun— The first part Mode & Cloudy the latter Strong Gales & Squally at 1 P M veerd away & moord Ship at 5 sent the Gun boat away Mann'd & Arm'd put a twelve pounder into a Schooner sent her away with two Officers & a party of Men2 at 11 Struck lower Yards & top gallant masts
Wednesday 6
at 3 A M hard gales & heavy Squalls of rain struck the topmast at 5 More Moderate at 8 swayed up lower Yards topmasts & top gallant Masts Fresh Gales & Cloudy Wr
Thursday 7
at 8 A M Cleard Hause unmoord & hove into ½ a Cable on the best bower at 10 rear Adml Shuldham Shifted his flag to H M Ship Centurion at 11 Weighd the best bower Anchor which was foul of the Adventure Store Ships Cable Hung the Ship by a Hawser whilst Clearing the Anchor Mode & Clear at ½ past 12 P M got the best bower Anchor Clear & Made Sail at 1 Came too in King road & moor'd Ship a Cable each way Castle William W B N the Light House E S E½E Long Island SBE & Spectarcle Island SWBS dce ½ a Mile.
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/192.
2. Gunboat and schooner were sent to support the attack upon Dorchester Heights which failed to materialize because of the storm.