By Order of Government.
For the Benefit of Mariners, coming into & going from Boston or Ipswich Bays, & to prevent their falling in with the Enemys Cruisers in either of said Bays—The following Signals will be made on Pigeon hill, Cape Ann, viz
If a Brittish Cruiser is seen in Boston Bay, between Cape Ann & Cape Cod, or near the Same, there will be hoisted A large blue Flag—but
If there are seen in Ipswich Bay, between Cape Ann and the Isle of Shoals,1 or near the Same, there will be hoisted two large blue Flags, on One Staff—the One Ten feet below the Other.
[Boston] War Office 25th June 1778.—
D, M-Ar, Mass. Archives Collection, vol. 157 (Maritime Miscellaneous, 1777–1782), fol. 176. Docketed: “Signals to be made/on Pigeon Hill, Cape Ann/Exd."
1. A group of islands off Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Kittery, Maine.