A Narrative of the Loss of the Ship Glasgow Packet (Transport) upon the Bar of Spencers Inlett near Charlestown South Carolina, the 21st of July 1776.

Upon the 18th Inst: I embark'd on Board the Glasgow Packet, with my Party, agreeable to the Orders I receiv'd that Morning from Lord Cornwallis. On my Arrival on Board, Captn Porterfield (Master of the Vessel) acquainted me that Mr [John] Knowles (the Agent) had given him Orders to be the last of the Transports to cross the Bar, as he had some small Guns on Board, to cover the Transports, whilst getting out of Spencers Inlett.

On the 20th all the Vessels in the Inlett, got under Way in the Forenoon Tide time, and by the Assistance of several Hands and Boats (The Troops being likewise mov'd out of some of them) they happily got over the Bar; the Glasgow Packet also got under way in due time of Tide, but it falling calm, oblig'd her to come to Anchor, the other Vessels warped out. consider'd this Circumstance as a bad Omen to get over the Bar, and being inform'd that Mr Knowles the Agent, was at that time on Board the Jenny, assisting her in getting over, I went immediately and acquainted him with the Situation of the Vessel, and mention'd my own Suspicions, that she could not get over the Bar without Assistance; Capt. Thomson of the Kitty likewise spoke to the same Purpose, he having been on Board the Glasgow Packet, when she was oblig'd to come to Anchor. Another Circumstance increas'd my Apprehensions of the Badness of our Situation: At the Instant I was appiying to Mr Knowles, the Jenny struck, tho' she drew Eighteen Inches less Water, than the Glasgow Packet, which I instantly observ'd to Mr Knowles, who promis'd his Endeavours to provide Assistance next morning early, if the Fleet did not sail, which indecisive Answer increas'd my Anxiety, and I resolv'd to wait on Genl [Henry] Clinton at the Fleet, and represent my Apprehensions, of the Want of Assistance to help us over the Bar; I can not omitt mentioning that I represented in the strongest Terms the Necessity of Assistance, and applied for the same to General Clinton himself, also to Lord [Francis] Rawden, Captn [John] Drummond and the Gentlemen about the General (whose Business I thought it was to attend to my Application) that we might not be neglected, finding the Fleet was ready to sail. ー

The Genl told me he would acquaint Sr Peter Parker with our Situation, who he hop'd wou'd afford me Assistance early in the Morning if the Fleet shou'd sail; at the same time the Genl gave me a Note to Mr [Thomas] Tomkins the Agent, desiring he would order back the St Lawrence to our Assistance immediately with Boats, Anchors &c. I went to Mr Tomkins on Board the Friendship, and deliver'd him the Genls Note; I had the Mate of the Glasgow Packet along with me, and made known to Mr Tomkins the evident Necessity of furnishing Assistance to get the Vessel over the Bar, as the other Transports had, and importun'd him much not to neglect us. ー

His Answer was he wou'd send the Genis Orders to the St Lawrence; but as the Fleet was to sail directly if the Wind continued fair, he could not afford any other Assistance, neither was he sure the Commander of the St Lawrence wou'd comply with the Order.

Next morning about five o'Clock the Fleet got under way, but the St Lawrence did not return, nor any other Assistance; there was however a fine favourable Breeze, and about ten o'Clock the Ship got underway, the Breeze still continuing good, and kept her way very well for a considerable time, till within a Cables Length of the Bar; when she began frequently to strike; but continued her way till within abut 40 Yards of the shoalest Part of the Bar, when she ceas'd making way, and stuck fast, continuing to beat excessively upon the Bar; this might be about 11 o'Clock. Signals of Distress were made, and Guns fir'd; Capt: Porterfield then got out a Small Anchor, with which they endeavour'd to heave the Vessel off; but without Success; in Short all my Men help'd, ev'ry Person assisted as much as possible agreeable to the Masters Directions till it was half past twelve of the Day, when I judg'd it most advisable, to wait on Sr Peter Parker as quick as possible, and apply to him for Assistance; I took the Yawl and arriv'd at the Bristol a little past three o'Clock, having row'd about the Distance of Ten or Twelve Miles. Sr Peter Parker immediately order'd a flat Bottom'd Boat manned, and a Kedge Anchor and Hawser, also Mr Witworths arm'd Sloop, to follow us to the Vessels Assistance (there being little Wind) for the better Dispatch, he was likewise pleas'd to send his own Pinnace with me. Being thus amply and expeditiously equip'd by Sr Peter Parker, with the means probably of saving the Vessel, and at any Rate the Party with their Arms and Necessaries, the Ships Company and perhaps the Provisions, I was happy at this Appearance of Relief, while it was yet Daylight, and was returning as quick as possible; a little past 6 o'Clock I met the St Lawrence returning from the Bar with the Glasgow Packets Long Boat at her Stern, seven of the Men had came off in her, who inform'd me the Vessel was taken about 4 o'Clock by a Row Galley mounting Ten Guns (Nine or Twelve Pounders) and some Swivels, and Boats towing of her. The Men who came off, say that the Ship had taken a Heel to one Side, and leak'd very much, that she struck so violently it was scarce possible to move upon the Deck, and her Head being"to the Bar, and her Stern to the Shore made it impossible for them to bring a Gun to bear upon the Rowe Galley, who fir'd repeatedly both Grape and Round Shot at her. Being in this distress'd Situation Capt. McN icoll and Lieut: Frazer the Officers on Board despairing of any timely or effectual Assistance or Relief, judg'd it advisable to throw their small Arms overboard, to prevent their falling into the hands of the Rebells. How it happen'd that no more of them came off in the Long Boat I cannot tell, but it is most probable, that the Persons who came off in the Boat, loos'd her away for fear of being overset with more. As soon as I went on Board the St Lawrence I saw the Rebell's Boats along Side the Glasgow Packet, and their Rowe Galley a little Distance off.

I propos'd to Captn Greaves of the St Lawrence, to attempt recovering the Vessel and Party on Board, he told me No, that he had no Orders to go within the Bar, and the time of tide would not admit of his going over at any Rate. I then return'd on Board the Bristol, and acquainted Sr Peter Parker of the Misfortune, who next Morning dispatch'd the St Lawrence to try if possible to recover her; just as she reach'd the Bar, the Rebells who had already strip'd her of her Rigging set her on Fire.

I can not well express how my Soul is affected at the disagreeable manner by which my Friends and other trusty Associates have falled into the hands of a rebellious and tumultous Enemy, cooped up in a wrecked Vessel, wholly divested of the Power of even acting in their own Defence. We always had the Honour of the General and other our superior Officers Approbation of doing our Duty, and their falling a Sacrifice notwithstanding the Generals good Attention and Orders to furnish us with Assistance in due time, is grievous to me and the unhappy Sufferers in its Manner and bad Consequences.

Alex^r Campbell Captn
R: H: Emig[ran]ts

Return of a Party of the Royal Highland Emigrants commanded by Captn Allexandr Campbell on Board the Glasgow Packet (Transport) lost on the Bar of Spencers Inlett July 21st 1776.

Escap'd:

Lieut: Allen Stewart, of the late 78th Regiment.
Mr William Campbell North Carolina.
Alexander Ross of Do.

Ships Company fallen into the Hands of the Rebells.