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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

July 30. 1779
4 men were flogged on the Poor Richard this morning – John Atwood for desertion, Elisha Johnson, John Williams Quartermaster for disobedience and John Rosseau for theft.

Monday, July 28, 2008

July 28. 1779
Breeze with drizzle. The Three Friends brig that we brought in as a prize during our cruise sank about 11AM in the forenoon at her anchor in the roadstead. We have been busy getting off as much of her cargo as possible this day. The prizemaster tells us that ship was dry and the pumps worked at 9AM.

The court martial continued on the Poor Richard but Lt. Robison was on shore sick and therefore the court began trying those charged with mutiny. Cutting Lunt, now the Poor Richard Master went to Nantes with some others to recruit American prisoners that were just released from Forton prison and carried to France by a cartel just as we were.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

July 27. 1779
The court martial continued today and adjourned at half past 1 when most of the officers came back on board. We sent the long boat to Herring Creek to bring on board water. Rainy during the later part of the day.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

July 26. 1779
Pleasant weather. A court martial is called to examine the conduct of Lt. Robison, first Lt. of the Poor Richard for running on board the Alliance during the evening of June 19th. Cap. Landy, Lt. Degge, Lt. Warren, Cap. Parke of the Marines, all went on board the Poor Richard this morning to sit on the court.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

July 24. 1779
Fresh breezes, Wind WNW. We continue to get provisions in the hole. Yesterday the Poor Richard mustered 62 people and sent them on shore to prison. Yesterday the Pallas arrived at Port Louis from Groix Isle.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

July 22. 1779
Rainy with fresh breezes. Our anchor did not hold in the wind and the Alliance ran afoul of the Poor Richard carrying away her ensign staff with little damage to the Alliance.

77 of the Poor Richard’s people were sent on shore by Captain Jones as being untrustworthy; men mainly from the old country, quarrelsome and rebellious. Three others were confined to the Black Apartment for conspiring to raise up a mutiny and carry the Richard to England with Cap. Jones as prisoner.

Monday, July 21, 2008

July 21. 1779
Cloudy with NW wind and some rain. Alliance dropped down out of port today after cleaning the ship’s hull and finishing most of the carpentry work. We dropped anchor near the Poor Richard.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

July 19. 1779
Hazy weather. Two of our officers were taken on board the Poor Richard and confined; James Hogan – Midshipman and Thomas Fitzgerald – Master’s Mate for willfully disobeying Lt. Degge. People employed at stowing provisions in the hole and getting up rigging on the mizzenmast

Sunday, July 13, 2008

July 13. 1779
Hot weather. Our people are employed at refitting the Alliance to repair the damage done when the Poor Richard came on board her during our recent cruise. Richard Sowards, midshipman on the Poor Richard, a Kittery man that I have known for years and who served with me at Kittery Point deserted the Richard on the 9th instant. Several others deserted the Richard on the 11th instant while on liberty ashore with the launch.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

July 8. 1779
Pleasant weather. Yesterday we brought the Alliance into port and the people all busy careening her since her bottom was foul.

Saturday, July 05, 2008

July 5. 1779
Strong squalls and winds such as to drive us on shore. The Alliance canted over on her starboard beam. Cap. Landy was on shore and when he returned he ordered us to strike the topmasts and to shore up the ship with yards, booms and topgallantmasts. The Poor Richard sent on board some people to provide us assistance and others brought out a cable and anchor to carry us out on the high tide.

This afternoon the Poor Richard entertained some fine people from L’Orient with music and dining and another pair of 13 gun salutes to celebrate out independence. This evening we hear that four of the Poor Richard’s men made for shore in the Richard’s boat which had been tied to the hulk.

Thursday, July 03, 2008

July 3. 1779
Rainy and sticky weather with fresh breezes. The American ships in port were all dressed and fired 13 gun salutes to celebrate our American independence. Many of us are certainly in better circumstances than a year ago when we had to celebrate inside Mill Prison. We also began to get on board stores to repair our rigging.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

July 2. 1779
We came to under Groix Island this morning along with our prize. We found the Poor Richard and Vengeance Brig already there. The Pallas came in a couple of hours later. Captain Landy went on board the Poor Richard to see Captain Jones. The Richard raised her anchor at 11 and we all got under way into L’Orient. After much tacking of ship we came to our moorings in the late afternoon.