Providence March 12th 1776
[Extract]
... Capt. Manly hath taken another Transport Ship laden with Coals Portor &c She brings no News later than the 2d December. An armed Transport is also stranded on the back of Cape Cod. The most of her Cargo consisting principally of a few military Stores hath been secured by the Inhabitants; the Mastor Two Midshipmen and a Number of Seamen are made Prisoners. She was bound from Boston to New-York ...
Last Friday the Swan, Capt. Ayscough, struck upon the flat Rock near the Blue-Rocks where she lay 4 or 5 Hours Col. [Henry] Babcock got down Two 18 Pounders with which she might have been easily destroyed; but happening to have sent Two Officers with a Flag on board Capt. Wallace who lay at Hope Island he did not think proper to make Use of the Opportunity...
Since my last Mr Paul Allen hath arrived from Curacoa and brought with him between 30 and 40 Ct Weight of Powder. 150 Muskets, some Pistols & Cutlasses. 12000 flints, some Twine and a Quantity of Duck & Ozenbrigs.
In a violent Gale of Wind last Week several of the Tenders were cast ashore upon Hope Island, and lost their Masts. Two of them have been scuttled and sunk, and it is said they will be obliged to sink two more for Want of Masts.