[Augst. 1778] Tuesday 11.
Block North N 27 Leagues at 6 AM Recd. Orders from the Admiral1 when He Tack’d & stood on his Larbd Tacks (in Order to Engage) to keep our Wind on the Larbd. tack & gain the Wind of the Enemy. Block Island N39E. 36 leagues. Sandy hook N71W 35 leagues. Hard Gales & Squally with Rain. PM The French Fleet in sight. At 2 the Admiral Shifted his Flag on board the Apollo.2 at 7 handed the Mainsail & haul’d up the Foresail. At 7 only 7 Sail in Sight. At 8 heard two guns fired [illeg.]’d up the Maintopsail & haul’d up the Lee Foretopsail Clewline, cut the cutter adrift, she having been sunk by towing.
D, UkLPR, Adm. 51/675, fol. 58-59.
1. Vice Adm. Viscount Howe.
2. H.M. Frigate Apollo, Capt. Philemon Pownoll.