July 1776 Friday 12th
The Watering Place SWBW, and the East Point of Staten Island SBE Little Winds and Clear Wr came in HM Sloop Kings.Fisher, at ½ past 1 the Ph[o]enix made sigl to Unmoor Do Unmoor'd & hove Short at ½ past 2 Weigh'd and came to Sail as did the Phenix Tryal Schooner and 2 Tenders, Steering for the No River at ¼ past 3 the Rebels began to fire upon us and the Phenix from Red Hook, Governers Island and the Town as we pass'd and Continued their firing from 6 more different Battery's on the Et. Shore for 11 Miles as high as Margets Hook. Return'd a Constant fire to all the Battery's as we pasd, they Shot away our Starbd fore Shroud, Fore Tackle Pendant, Fore Lift, fore topsail Clewlines, Spritsail & Main Top Sail Braces, one 18 Pound Shot in the Head of our fore Mast one through the Pinnace, several through the Sails and some in the Hull. at ½ past 5 pas'd the last Battery No of Guns not known, weight of Mettal from 12 to 32 Pounder at 8 Anch'd in Topsand Bay, 28 Miles above [New] York 6½ fm Terry Town E½N the Bluff Head on the Western Shore SBW½W Do Anch'd the Phenix &c.
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/805.