[June] 28th
This morning the Commodore weighed without a signal and the Men of vVar were carried down to the Attack of the Fort on Sullivans Island in the following order vizt Active Frigate Capt [William] Williams leads
28th June.
Bristol 50 Guns Commodore Sir Peter Parker Experiment 50-12 pounders Capt [Alexander] Scott Solebay Frigate Ca Simmonds [Thomas Symonds] Acteon do Ca [Christopher] Atkins Syren do Ca [Tobias] Furneaux Sphinx do Ca [Anthony] Hunt The Cannonade began about 20 minutes before 12 and was kept up with the greatest vigor most part of the day, but it was thought that the position of the Fleet was too distant from Battery abt (800 Yards) to avail themselves of the advantages to be sought for on such attacks, vizt the fire from the Tops with swivels & small arms. The Three last mentioned Frigates which were destined for Heddrels point unfortunately ran aground very early in the day ー The Syren & Sphinx got off, the latter with the loss of her Boltsprit by running foul of the Acteon but the Acteon could not be moved. In the begginning of the attack the Bomb threw several Shells but most appeared to fall short, and the Mortar, (as it was afterwards understood) was soon rendered useless by the bursting of the Bed During the attack of the Fleet the General made his dispositions in the manner before concerted by cannonading the Rebel works from the flats, and passing the Creek with the Army to be in readiness to begin his operations upon the appearance of the Frigates off Heddrels point, but as it was not thought prudent to expose the Kings Troops to a manifest sacrifice, whilst the Battery attacked by the Fleet was still in possession of the Rebels, and before any protection could be brought to Heddrals point to support the intended operations of the Army, the day was spent in observing the movements of the Fleet, which continued the Cannonade till near 9 oClock and then hauled off.2
1. Sir Henry Clinton Papers, CL.
2. The account concludes as follows: "next morning [the Actaeon] was set on fire and quitted. The unhealthy Climate of South Carolina at that Season of the Year The Loss sustained by the Fleet, and the tenor of the Generals instructions, were deemed sufficient reasons for deferring any further attempt for the present, and to proceed to the Northward to join Sir William Howe. ー "