July 1777 Tuesday 15.
Sandy hook Light house N77½Wt 55 ⅓ Leags ½ past 5 AM saw a sail to the SW gave Chase Made the Signal for the Agent to Lead the Convoy at 11 heard the report of a Gun to the Wtward ½ past heard the report of Another at Noon saw a Ship to Windward fire a Gun made the private Signal to her which She did not Answer: Cleared Ship for Action. Light Breezes & Clear Wr Middle fresh Breezes & Cloudy Latter Modt & Clear the Ship to Windward fired a Gun & hoisted an Ensign at the Mizon peak ½ past 3 fired 8 Shot at the Chase & Brother too at 4 spoke H.M. Ship Tartar & Unicorn the Chase proved to be the Sloop Speedwell2 from Swansey
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/607.
2. Possibly Massachusetts privateer sloop Speedwell, Captain Joshua Stone, commissioned April 16, 1777, Mass.Arch., vol. 20, 408.