[August 1776] Wedsday 21st
Anchor'd off Staten Island AM the Adml made the Sigl for all Lieutenants. First part modrt and Cloudy, Midl fresh Gales with Thunder Lightning and Rain, latter light breezes & Cloudy. PM at 1 Unmoor'd and hove short, Recv'd sundry Gunner's Stores, at 5 Squally with Rain, weigh'd and came to Sail as did the Phenix, Steering down the River, at 6 came too off Gravesend Bay in 10 fm soft bottom, the Church ENE and the Et Point of the Narrows NBW Do Anchor'd the Phenix.
Thursdy 22d
AM at 4 hove short, at 1/2 past 6 weigh'd and stood into Gravesend Bay, Do Anchor'd abrest of the Church 16 feet low water, carried out the stream Anchor and Cable for a Spring hove broad side to the Shore; Off Shore 1/2 a Mile, came in Shore and Anchor'd, the Phenix and Greyhound with a Number of Transports with Troops on board; at 1/2 past 7 Adml Howe Hoist'd his Flag on board the Phenix, the Adml Fir'd a Gun and hoisted a Blew and White strip'd Flag at the Mizon Topmast Flagstaff, the Troops in the Boats at 9 began to land, at Noon all Landed. Light Breezes and Clear Wr came in HM Ships Mercury and Lively, at 1 took up the Stream Anchor Weigh'd and run further out in the Bay Do Anchor'd in 5 fm the Church NEBE the E point of the Narrows NBW½W PM Commodore Hotham Hoisted his broad Pendant on board the Phenix and Adml Howe hauld down his Flag and hoist'd it on board the Eagle. Moor'd NNW and SSE.
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/805.