European Theatre from January 1, 1777, to May 31, 1777
My Lords Commissioners of the Admty intending that when this summers Campaign in America is over, Rear Admiral Sr Peter Parker shall proceed to Jamaica, to relieve Vice Adml Gayton in the Command of His Majts Ships & Vessels on that Station; I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you therewith and that your Lordship will have orders in form by the next conveyance for sending him... Continue Reading
Date: 28 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I think there is the finest fleet of ships in this harbour that ever I saw; they consist of three 90 gun ships, ten 74 gun ships, four 64 gun ships and several frigates, all ready in two hours for sea. The Culloden, of 74 guns, is ordered to proceed to sea for the French coast, on account of one of our 64 gun ships being there a few days ago, when a French 74 gun ship came along-side of her, and... Continue Reading
Date: 28 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . The Privateer Reprisal 2 having Saluted our pennant with three cheers of Long Live the King, I had one salute returned as a matter of politeness. However, not knowing the King's intentions on the manner in which the Warships of the English American Colonies must be treated, I have the Honor of advising you of my Conduct, which I Know to be inconsequential, but it Would displease... Continue Reading
Date: 28 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
When I make the Signal for to lead the Convoy she is Immedeately to make the Signal for the Convoy to come under her Stern, & to fire at any Ships that presume to go ahead of her; the Other Men of War are to asist in keeping the Convoy together & never to quit there Stations or Chaces unless I make the Signal for that Purpose
If I would have any Particular Ship keep between a Ship in... Continue Reading
Date: 29 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I desire you will acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that being six or eight Leagues to the Westward of Nantes in His Majesty's Ship under my Command, at day break this morning, we saw two Brigs Steering for Nantes; upon discovering what we were, the headmost kept on her Course, and the other stood out to Sea, there being little wind, and our short run to the land giving Us small... Continue Reading
Date: 29 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I have communicated to my Lords Commrs of the Admty your Lordships Letter of the 25th Inst inclosing the State & Condition of His Majts Ships & Vessels under your command & Copy of a Letter from Captain Robinson of the Queen Stating the Case of Wm Wright & John Williamson two Prisoners on board that Ship taken on board an American Brig by the Experiment; And I am commanded by... Continue Reading
Date: 29 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The Worcester, Bentley, from Jamaica, is arrived at Liverpool, after having had an engagement with an American privateer of 14 guns, in lat. 37, a few days after she sailed from Jamaica, and obliged her to sheer off.
The Newman, Smith, from Newfoundland to the West Indies is taken by the Rebels, and carried into Guadaloupe.
The William and Mary, Howe, from Petersbourg, was taken the week before... Continue Reading
Date: 29 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . Mr Deane is very anctious to bring about a plan or Scheem which he has in agitation & which I think is impracticable, his intention is to ship American property from hence in French Bottoms, by the way of New Orleans, from thence to proceed to Fort Pitt in Order to supply the back Inhabitants & Indians on the Continent, this plan I believe wont take owing to the great distance of... Continue Reading
Date: 29 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Inclosed is Bill of Lading for thirty Cases of Arms as at foot shipped onboard the Lynch Capt [John] Adams. (No I a 21 contains five hundred & twenty five Fuzils & No 22 a 30 contains four hundred & fifty pair of pistols) on accot of the Hon. The Continental Congress who you will please to advise of their arrival
I would recommend them to be proved before put into the Hands of the... Continue Reading
Date: 29 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
H
Courses
Winds
Remks on Wedensday 30th of April 1777
1
Small winds & fair weather
6
Tyrannicide in company
7
SE
9
Cloudy weather with small rain
10
ENE
Latt By Obs 49D29m Longd in 11 D41m
1
NEBN
SSW
Saw a sail in the NE gave chaise at 3 Came up
with her the Brigt Trapasey [Trepassy] Elias
coomes master from Topsham for Newfoundland
6 days... Continue Reading
Date: 30 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
the third day after we was taken which was the 18th of April the ship began to make the best of her way for Spite-head and standing into the Channel we had near Like'd to been lost of[f] the Rocks of Scilly, our Brigg being about one half a league a head made the first breech in the Night being close on board the rocks and fired several signal Guns which was answered by our Ship, and before we... Continue Reading
Date: 30 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Whereas you have represented to Us by your Letter of the 22d instant, that upon considering in what manner it may be most proper to victual the Prisoners to be committed to Forton & old Mill Prisons you are of opinion that the Allowance which was made for the subsistence of Rebel Prisoners under the care of your Board in the Year 1745, Vizt
Wheaten Bread
Beef
Cheese
1 lb
½
¼... Continue Reading
Date: 30 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Vice Adml Sr J as Douglas having inform'd my Lords Commissrs of the Admty that the Rising States, taken by His Majesty's Ship the Terrible and lately brought to Spithead, is pierc'd for 18 Guns, well furnish'd wi.th Sails, Rigging &c. and is said to sail very well, and that should such a Vessel be wanted, she may answer exceedingly well; I am commanded by their Lordships to signify their... Continue Reading
Date: 30 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Letters by the Worcester, Capt. Bentley, who is arrived at Liverpoole from Jamaica, bring Advice, that the Duckingfield, Captain Foster, a missing Ship from London and Madeira, was safe arrived at Jamaica; that two Days after she left the Madeiras, she was chaced by an Americn Privateer four Hours; but by some Accident the Privateer took fire, and Part of her blew up; and during the confusion the... Continue Reading
Date: 30 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I return you many Thanks for the Honour of Your Letter. I have this Inst recd the inclosed with which I have taken the liberty You allow. The Vice admiral whose Name Your Correspt could not recollect must be Ct D'estaing. His activity and hostile Disposition towards us You well know. The Project of sending american Property in french Bottoms to New Orleans certainly exists, but I shd imagine that... Continue Reading
Date: 30 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
This comes by the Brig. Trepassey which we took Yesterday, from Topsham bound to Newfoundland with Salt &c an Account of which you have by the Prize Master Mr Nathl Webb By him we have shipt the Remainder of the goods taken out of the Brigt Eagle ー
The Captain informs us there was a large Ship Loaded with Indigo & Rice taken in the Bay of Biscay bound for Nantz by a 64 Gun Ship and by her... Continue Reading
Date: 1 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The Freedom privateer, of 12 guns, is now cruizing from Scilly to Cape Clear: She lately took the Dispatch, Capt. Regan, from Lisbon to Corke, out of which she took about ten tons of wine, some fruit, &c. and put the prisoners on board her. She had then taken fifteen prizes on this station, amongst which is the Phebe from Honduras to London;2 the Betty, from Glasgow to Cadiz; a... Continue Reading
Date: 1 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I desire you will acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admty, that I pursued the design mention'd in my letter of the 29th past, but was not fortunate enough to fall in with the Rebel Privateer; this disappointment was in some measure compensated yesterday afternoon by our intercepting a Bermudian built Sloop, called the Alice, John Porter master, from Charles Town in South Carolina, bound to... Continue Reading
Date: 1 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Yesterday arrived here the Lord Lifford, of this port, Capt. [John] Jones, from Boston, in 29 days. Several French vessels arrived at Boston and Piscataqua, with arms, ammunition and cloathing, a French General, and 50 officers. Two privateers of 36 and 26 guns, sailed from Boston, and many more of equal force were preparing. Capt. Jones brought home 12 Captains who had been taken. His vessel was... Continue Reading
Date: 1 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Whereas we have ordered Vice Adml Sr Jas Douglas to cause Ninety One of the Supernumerary Seamen & Landmen who have been raised for His Majestys Fleet to be put on board the Ship you Command in order to their being carried in her to Quebec to be disposed of as the Senior Captain of His Majs Ships & Vessels in the River St Lawrence for the time being shall direct; You are hereby required... Continue Reading
Date: 1 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
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