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Monday, September 29, 2008

September 29. 1779
We have spent the past two days jury rigging the main mast of Serapis with many of our people aboard her to assist.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

September 27. 1779
On the evening of the 24th instant our squadron engaged and took the British fifth rate Serapis, 44 guns, Captain Peirson and Countess of Scarborough, 20 guns, Captain Piercy. There were many dead and wounded on both sides including several of our friends from the Piscataqua region who were aboard the Poor Richard. After Alliance and Pallas engaged with the Countess of Scarborough she eventually struck to the Pallas. The Serapis struck to the Poor Richard at about 10PM after 2 hours of battle and after receiving three broadsides from Alliance. I fear that our broadsides took as heavy a toll on the Poor Richard as it did on the Serapis as they were locked together at the time. Captain Landy ordered us to fire despite warning to him that we were raking the Richard too. Both Poor Richard and Serapis were heavily damaged and on fire.

After the battle Mr. Bragg, our carpenter went on board Poor Richard with a number of men to extinguish the fires and repair her many leaks. We took 150 prisoners out of the Serapis while Mr. Buckley, Mr. Lynd and 40 men went to man her and Alliance took her in tow. In the morning we came up with the Poor Richard, Pallas, Vengeance and Countess of Scarborough and Captain Jones came on board of the Serapis. In the evening he returned to the Richard and finding her leaks steadily increasing ordered all of the wounded who were the only ones left aboard her to be moved to other ships. Our boats along with those of the other ships worked through the night to get the men and necessary things out of her. At 11 AM of the 26th instant the Poor Richard sank from the damage she received during the battle.

Today, Mr. Lynd came back on the Alliance, having been on Serapis since the 27th instant. He told of ill treatment given by Captain Jones to himself and others of the Alliance crew after trying but failing to get them to impeach Captain Landy’s character. He said that some of the Alliance’s crew were flogged on this account. Cap. Landy sent Mr. Robertson on board the Serapis desiring to bring back the remainder of our people since we have only 115 men to guard 226 prisoners in total from our earlier prizes plus our recent additions. Captain Jones refused this request. We are now making our way to Holland.

Monday, September 22, 2008

September 22. 1779
We saw a ship early this morning to which we gave chase. After a while we perceived her to be the Pallas and we each showed our private signals. We chased a brig into Burlington harbor while Pallas chased another but we were forced to give over the chase as we were entering the shoals. At 6PM we spoke Pallas and she informed us that she separated from the Poor Richard three days prior.

Friday, September 19, 2008

September 19. 1779
Today there has been a light breeze and some rain. These past few days we have been cruising off Flamborough Head on the northeast coast of England with none of our consorts to be seen.

Friday, September 12, 2008

September 12. 1779
Yesterday we chased a large war ship but lost her at night. Today we took a brig loaded with coal bound from Hamborough to Newcastle. A prize crew was put on her and she was sent to Bergen Norway.

Monday, September 08, 2008

September 8. 1779
All night we have weathered a strong gale. Our cutwater parted at the stem with its bolts letting go. Last night Pallas and Poor Richard were to leeward and we were all laying to when Cap Landy ordered the weather main braces hauled on board and we steered a course to the SW until 10AM this morning. The other ships are no longer in sight. There was a dispute between Cap. Landy and the officers, they wanting to tack the ship and regain the squadron but he not allowing it.

The day before yesterday we started to make preparations for a landing at Shetland, with Cap. Landy giving orders to our carpenter James Bragg to get the boats ready. We had our cables bent ready for anchoring. Cap. Landy also gave orders to Cap. Parke to prepare 40 marines and landsman but in the end we did not make the landing. Cap. Landy said he waited for final orders from Cap. Jones to go in, but they did not come.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

September 4. 1779
Today we passed Fair Island on the north of Scotland in a fresh breeze of wind with haze. At 11AM we spoke the Poor Richard and Cap. Jones ordered us to cruise for prizes and meet with the squadron tomorrow to the NE of Fair Island where we will find the Pallas and Poor Richard waiting. At 3AM we spied a sail and took her. She proved to be a sloop in ballast bound from Leith to Shetland.

Two days past, Cap. Landy sent Mr. White as Master of the Union prize and Mr. Fitzgerald as master of the Betsy prize and we took all prisoners on board the Alliance. Yesterday morning Cap. Cottineau of the Pallas agreed to take on board some of the 100 prisoners which we had below decks of Alliance. Our crew is greatly reduced with the manning of our prizes and we hear the prisoners grumbling and threatening to take master of the Alliance should they get the chance. The prizes have had trouble keeping up with the squadron and about noon yesterday we lost sight of them both.