August 1777 Friday 21
Fortescue Island SEbE¼E At 5 AM sent the Schooners in Shore at 7 fir'd two Guns as Sigls for them to return At 8 Weigh'd & run farther up at ½ past 9 anchd off Bombay hook in 6½ fm muddy bottom Lower part of Bombay hook SW¼ W Throughout Modte & fine Wr at 3 PM Fir'd two Guns (As Sigls to our Tender) on seeing twelve Sail and Rebel Vessels2 working down the River at ½ past 4 Weigh'd & Sailing down the River the Buoy got foul of the heel of the Ship & was cut away. Fir'd a number of Guns as Signals at 5 Shoal'd our water, soon after found the Ship aground on the upper part of the Cross ledge the Rebels at the same time Tack'd and stood upthe River The Schooner being on shore was taken by the Rebels with 14 days Provision for the Men & two Tons water Cask3 Carried out the Stream Anchor with 3 Hawsers to the SW at 10 the Ship floating we cut the Hawsers & stood to the NW
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/675.
2. Fleet commanded by Captain Charles Alexander, Continental Navy frigate Delaware.
3. Reported from Philadelphia, August 28:
On Saturday last arrived here a tender, mounting 6 carriages and 8 swivel guns, belonging to the Pearl frigate taken by the barges of the ship and schooner Delaware in sight of the Pearl, who was chased by Capt. Alexander, from near Reedy Island, to three miles below Bombay Hook.
Maryland Journal, September 2. 1777.
