May 1778 Sunday 10
The Body of St. Cruz1 Wt ½ So. 9 Leagues
at ½ past 2 (AM) Saw a Sail gave chace which we supposed was the Vessell we had been in chace of the Proceeding Evening, at 7 the chace perceiving we Gaind upon her, She began to Heave casks of Tobacco over board which Sucessively floated past us in Great Quantitys from 7 till 8 oClock this was a Convincing proof of her being an American Rebel Vessell at 8 Fired Several 4 Pdrs. &c several Swivells Shotted at the Chace at 9 Ceased Firing at 10 the Chace Ran into craul Harbour in the Island of St. Johns2 at ½ past Do. Shortened Sail & hauld our Wind, Do. Made the Signal to speak the Commander of the Pelican,3 at 11 Sent Lieut. John Hardy to the Commanding Officer to Demand the Chace if she was of Rebel Property Do. Made the Signal for a Pilot.
The Body of St. Johns No. 2 Mile
Moderate breeses & fair Wr. at 1 PM) came on Board a Pilot & carried the Brig into craul harbour & Anchord with the Best Bower in 5 fathom Water as did the Pelican, at ½ past Lieut Jno. Hardy returnd with the Boats & informd us the Vessell we had been in Chace of Was of Rebel Property from Virginia bound to St. Eustatia with Tobacco, was in Shore but had leave from the Commanding Officer of the Port to take her Off, Do. sent an Officer with a Party of Men hauld her of[f] the Shore & anchor'd the Prize Schooner Near us in 5 fathom Water, Got a New top Galtl mast up4
D, UkLPR, Adm. 51/4117, part 2.
1. That is, St. Croix, Danish West Indies.
2. That is, Cruz Bay, St. John I., in what is now the U.S. Virgin Islands.
3. H.M. armed brig Pelican, Lt. John Oakes Hardy, commander.
4. In the journal entry for the following day, Douglas wrote that Antigua, Pelican, and their prize were asked to remain at Cruz Bay by the Danish officer commanding there until that officer could send word of the capture to Gov. Peter Clausen at St. Croix. The British brigs ignored this request and sailed with their prize on the afternoon of 11 May. A Danish Man of War followed them as far as St. Croix, UkLPR, Adm. 51/4117, part 2. The identity of the prize schooner is not known.
