Anchored in 5 Fathom Hole The Light House W½So
A M. at 9 the Commodore made a Signal to Signify to the Land Forces his intentions to Attack the Fort on Sullivans Isld with the Ships of War under his Commd ½ past 10 weighed P Sigl 2 Divisions, the first consisting of 4 sail Vizt The Active (who lead the Van) the Bristol, Experiment & Solebay; the 2nd Division of 3 Sail Vizt The Sphynx, Actaeon & Syren: The Thunder Bomb & Friendship were before placed, the latter to cover the former; about ½ past 11 the Active Anchd against the 3 Guns on the face of the Et Bastion, The Bristol bro't up against 5 Guns on the C[ur]t[a]in & 2 Guns on the flank of the Et Bastion; the Experiment against the 4 Wt mt Guns on the C[ur]t[a]in &: 2 Guns on the flank of the Et Bastion; the Sphynx, Actaeon & Syren were to place themselves to the Wt wd of the Fort, to Infilade the Works, but the Sphynx who led the Van (of the line) not having a Pilot that knew the Channel, run ashore, as did the Actaeon who followed her, about ½ a Cable to the Et wd We struck & fell on board the Actaeon, but immediately paying ground off: got into deep water; before 12 the Bomb having thrown several Shells the Engagement became general between the Ships & Fort ー Carried out our Stream Anchor & Cable to the Et wd
Mode & Clear P.M. before finding it impossible to get to our Station as we could not warp out of the [S]watch we were in, fired some Shot at the fort, & finding they reached, continued a brisk fire 'till past 3, when the fort was Silenced; But not having Men enough to land the Rebels were Reinforced from the Main, & about ½ past 4 the fire was renewed on both sides, & continued 'till near [8] at which time the Fort was again Silenced, the Commre having suffered considerable damage both in the Hull & Masts of his Ship, & having lost a Number of Men, drop'd out as did the Experiment, Active & Solebay; the Sphynx cut away her Bowsprit, the Actaeon having drifted across her bows, sent our Boats to their Assistance, the Sphynx in Warping off Cut our Kedge Anchor & 2 Hawsers; the Actaeon still on shore & had carried out one of her lower Anchrs ー The Active in droping down got a ground, sent our long boat with the stream Anchr & Cable to her Assistance, (which she lost) The Actaeon attempting to heave off by the Bowr Anchr (carried out) parted the Cable, when lying directly in the line of Fire from the Fort, without any Ship to cover her, & not the least probability of getting her off, she was set on fire (the People being first removed) Departd this Life Jno Pridmore Seamn