April 1778
Thursday 2d
Remarks at Tiverton [R.I.]
First part this 24 Hours fine pleasant Weather small wind at SW, fitted out our barge, with Ten men, Under the Command, of Lieut. Cartwrig[ht,]1 and in Company with a Whale Boat, of Eight men, under Command of Cap ——— Thomas attempted to Destroy a Sloop, on Shore on Rhodeisland2 near the enemys fort,3 sat her on fire, Twice, which was put Out by the heavy Rain, attended with Thunder & Lighting
D, UkLPR, H.C.A, 32/455/1.
1. Lt. Paul Cartwright, second lieutenant of galley Spitfire.
2. That is, the island of Rhode Island, now called Aquidneck.
3. British battery at Bristol Ferry, On 3 Apr. Capt. Frederick Mackenzie noted in his Diary: “The Rebels with two armed boats, attempted last night to burn the Sloop which was on shore near The Townpond. They boarded her, but did not succeed. It was a sloop from Swansea, with potatoes, onions, cider, &c., which was trading with the British Army on the island of Rhode Island," Mackenzie, Diary 1: 263–64.
