Rainbow at Sea 16 May 1778
Sir/
I beg to acquaint their Lordships that being on a Cruize on the Coast of New England I Had the good Fortune on the 11th Instant to retake from the Rebels a very valuable Ship called the Martha,1 whose Cargo (I am informd) is worth a hundred Thousand Pounds: She was bound from London to New York, & was taken a few Days after her sailing by the Boston Rebel armd Ship on her way to France;2 I am proceeding with this valuable Ship to Halifax in order to prevent Her falling again into the Hands of the Rebels.—I took her a few Miles from the Land near Casco Bay.
I likewise retook the Elizabeth3 from Bourdeaux to New York, & the Polly4 from St. Augustine to London; the former was loaden with Wines & Brandy, the other with Tobacco & Tar.
On the 10th. Instant I also took a Schooner called the Mary5 from Faro, laden with Salt, & intended for Boston, but had cleard out for Halifax. I am Sir [&c.]
Geo Collier
L, UkLPR, Adm. 1/1612, section 2, no. 4, fol. 11. Endorsed: “Recd 5 July." Notation in Stephen's hand: “8 July/Own rect./& let him know/their Ldps are pleasd/with his Success."
1. Ship Martha, Peter McIntosh, master. For more on this recapture, see Journal of H.M. frigate Rainbow, 11 May, above.
2. Continental Navy frigate Boston, Capt. Samuel Tucker, commander.
3. Ship Elizabeth, Thomas Howe, master. For further details on this recapture, see Journal of H.M. frigate Rainbow, 1 May, above.
4. Actually, brig Mary, master unknown. For more on this recapture, see Journal of H.M. frigate Rainbow, 8 May, above.
5. Actually, schooner Polly, Ignatius Webber, master, from El Ferrol, Spain, bound to Boston with salt. For more information on this capture, see Journal of H.M. frigate Rainbow, 9 May, above.
