In the bay below N. York the british fleet made a great display; the no. of the vessells of all sizes amounted to about 300; and as they spread their sails to dry ー after a rain - they covered a large extent of the water.

The admirals ship ー the Eagle of 64 guns appearing in full sight, known by her flag, Capt. [David] Bushnell ー of the sappers & miners having prepared his submarine engine ー it was sent one night, with a magazine of powder attached to it ー under the command of a serjeant and 12 men ー the party proceeded to the ship ー having a pointed rod at top designed to be stuck into the ships bottom, but this point not taking effect the tide which was strong ー wafted the engine away from under the ship & the enterprise failed. The sergeant who had the command gave me a particular narrative of the proceeding, and said that he was of opinion that the projecting point struck the head of a bolt which prevented its success; but I judged it as probable that the point was prevented from entering the ship by the copper sheathing.²