Thursday, March 5th.– Went with Joseph Ratcliff to Pontlably and procured good lodgings for Him supposing the Eruption (which came out last night) to be Small Pox – we were treated with great respect as we were Americans, were waited on near half a mile to the Boat and on parting gave them 3 Cheers which was answered with vive Le Congres.
Friday, March 6th.– This morning (being fine weather) came to sail, in the morning went through of Passage Duroi; saw a large Ship to the leeward which we thought was a Frigate & the same we saw yesterday: She fail'd in attempting to get through the Passage and stood off.
Saturday, March 7th.– Came to anchor in Baldavids Bay not far from the River of Brest.
Sunday, March 8th.– Weigh'd and beat up towards Brest came too in Camaritt's Bay 4 Leagues from Brest.
[At Brest] Tuesday, March 10th.– Last night eight of our People took the Cutter and went on shore and ran off leaving the Boat on the Rocks.
Friday, March 13th.– Seven of eight Deserters were bro't back under guard & confined in Irons.
Saturday, 14th March.– Went to Brest with Capt. Jones & Lt. Simpson; had a slight view of the Fortifications, Shipping, and Dock-Yards – return'd in the Evening.
Sunday, 15th.– I had the pleasure of entertaining the Commissaries Lady & two Sisters on Board the Ranger.
Wednesday, 18th.– Last night died after a lingering Illness for more than three weeks Willm. Reading – His remains were decently interr'd about 11 o'clock A.M. – P.M. the Ladies came to pay Capt. Jones a visit as he was absent when they pay'd us the first Visit.
Monday, 23rd March.– Got under way and ran up to Brest; saluted the Admiral, rec'd the news of Ld. Stormont's having left Paris on receiving a copy of the Treaty with America.
Thursday, 2nd April.– Got up anchor pay'd the french flagg another Salute rec'd. 11 for 13 – One of our Seamen narrowly escap'd drowning; when the Ship was coming to sail was turned off from the Spritsail Yard the Ship went over Him, but He was luckily taken up by the Man who was in the Cutter which was vear'd astern arriv'd at Camaritt about 5 o'clock P.M. and came to anchor.
Friday, 3rd April.– Our Ship being laid on Shore for cleaning I went with our Pilot & Lt. Wallingsford to take a view of the New Fort which is building on an Eminence at the distance of three miles from Camaritt.
Sunday, 5 April.– Attempted to get out to sea with the Fortuna of 36 guns but were oblig'd to return to Brest.
Wednesday, 8th.– Made a second Attempt to get out & fail'd.
Friday, 10th.– About 5 o'clock P.M. came to Sail in Company with the Frigate [Fortuna] – were detained by the Cutter which was sent after Sand to Camaritt.
Saturday, 12th. 11– Fine weather but no Convoy to be seen, about 10 in the morning saw a sail to windward which prov'd quite contrary to our fears to be the Fortuna – we were all ready for action when she came alongside of us.
Monday, 14th.– Our Convoy left us, sooner than Capt. Jones Expected which He resented but could not prevent.
Tuesday, 15 April.– Early in the morning saw a Brig under our Lee Bow, about 8 o'clock spoke her: from Ostend to Galway laden with Flaxseed took the People their Baggage &c. on board scuttled and left Her. 12
Wednesday, 16th.– Made some part of Ireland in the morning suppos'd to be the high Land of Dungarvin.
Thursday 17th.– Saw a Ship in the afternoon under our lee Bow, at Sun's setting spoke Her – a Ship of about 350 Tons from London for Dublin laden with Hemp Iron Porter &c &c. ordered her to Brest. 13
Saturday, 19th.– Made a warm attempt to take a Cutter mounting 8 Guns, she slipped through Our Fingers, had the Captain have permitted the Marines to fire on them when they first came under our lee Quarter might have taken Her with great Ease.
Sunday, 20th.– In the morning near the Isle of Man sunk a schooner laden with Barley & Oats about 60 Tons burthen from some part of Scotland, in the Evening sunk a Sloop in ballast from Ireland. 14
Monday, 21st.– Bore down for Belfast Loch, took a fishing Boat with 4 Men in sight of a Ship at anchor they informed Us that she was a Man of war of 20 guns; we made sail and stood off about an Hour, when the Capt. ordered the ship to be put about in order to go in and cut her out, but the wind blowing fresh and the people unwilling to undertake it we stood off and on till midnight when the People consenting and the wind having lulled a little we stood into the River but it being somewhat Dark did not drop our Anchor so as to lay her along side, therefore were oblig'd to cut and run out, which we were very lucky in effecting.15
Tuesday, 22nd.– Stood off and on all Day with a design to make another Trial if the wind lull'd at night there being no signs of more moderate weather wore ship and stood back towards Galway Mull – Our people very much fatigued.
Wednesday, 23rd. 16– Weather somewhat more moderate & our people a little recruited, Our enterprising Capt. with about 30 men went on shore about 11 P.M. with a Design to fire the Town of Whitehaven. 17
Thursday, 24th.– After watching the night and all the morning till broad day light in expectation of seeing the smoke of the Town and Shipping (ascend as the smoke of a Furnace) began to fear that Our People had fallen into the Enemies Hands; however about half an hour after sun rise we discovered two small Boats at a great Distance coming out of the Rivers mouth, and clouds of smoke arising from the Shipping, soon after we saw them fire on the Boats from the Shore, but most of the Cannon being spiked up by our People they could do but very little the Boats were soon out of their Reach and came along-side with 3 prisoners for one left behind.
The same Day crossed over to the other side of the Bay to the Mull of Galway Capt. Jones with Lt. Wallingsford and about 12 Men went on shore [at St. Mary's Isle] with design to take Ld. Selkirk, Prisoner. As he was not at Home and no man in the House, for the sake of his Lady & her Company they came off without doing any further Damage than plundering Him of Plate to the amount of (as near as I can judge) 160lb. weight of Silver. 18
Friday, 24th.– Early in the morning our Capt. proposed making a second attempt to cut out the Ship in Caraefergus, which was now within a small Distance, the People both officers & men discovr'd great unwillingness to make the attempt. Capt. Jones notwithstanding declar'd publickly his determination to go in, in short it seem'd impossible to avoid it for the Tide & what little wind there was, had imperceptably carry'd us in so far that there was very little chance for an Escape, and now which was about sun-rise we saw the Ship with Her Sails loos'd and had nothing to do but to get ready for Action Our People at the same Time discovering the greatest readiness to engage Her. When she [the Sloop of war Drake] came out at 11 almost Calm about 12 Saw a Boat coming from the Ship which we Decoy'd and took on board a Midshipman & 5 Men; there being a light Breeze of Wind & understanding by the People from the Ship that she was coming Out to us; clung our wind and stood out under easy sail till 4 o'clock, P.M. & hove too for Her, she came up about 6 and hailed after the usual Compliments were pass'd we wore Ship and gave her a whole broad side, without receiving a Shot: the Action continued till 5 minutes after seven very warm when her 2 Commanding Officers being the one Capt. Brurdon killed & the other Lt. Dobbs mortally wounded and about 20 of Her Men disabled and the Ships Rigging Sails &c. very much damaged they were oblig'd to give her up by the wave of the Hat; & a call for Quarters for having the Second Time cut away their Ensign staff they had no Colours to Strike.
Lost on our side, – Lt. Wallingsford 19 killed by a musket shot in the head. John W. Dangle by a double Hd. shot cut in two in the Fore Top.
Wounded, – Pierce Powers lost his right Hand, & his left badly wounded. James Falls by a musket shot through the Shoulder. Thos. Taylor lost his little Finger by a musket shot at the wheel.
Saturday, 25th.– Very pleasant and almost Calm a fine Opportunity for repairing and fitting for Sea from on board the Drake buried the Remains of Capt. Burdon with the Honors of war – spoke a Brigg from white Haven of about 300 Tons commanded by Capt. More, put a Prize Master and Hands on Board Her: at 12 we were not far from the place of action about 2 o'clock P.M. having a light Breeze sent away the Fishing Boat's crew with a present of Money 17 Guineas and the Drakes Main Sail & Mn. Top Sail; in the Evening committed the Body of Lt. Wallingsford to the deep with the Honours due to so brave an Officer.
Monday, 4th May.– Died of his wounds and the same day were decently buried the Remains of Nath1. Wells of Portsmouth, America.
Thursday, May 7th.– Arrived at Brest with the Ship Drake in Company.
May 9th, Saturday.– Sent on Shore to the Hospital Pierce Powers, James Falls & Thos. Taylor from the Ranger at the same Time sent from the Drake 13 Prisoners.
Sunday, 10th May.– Arrived here the Prize Brig Patience.
Wednesday, 13th.– Sent to the Hospital John Mott a Prisoner taken in the Drake.
Friday, 29 May.– Drew a petition in behalf of my good Friend Simpson now in gaol in Brest which was sign'd by Lt. Hall Mr. Cullam and myself & sent on shore to the Office in order to go to the Commissioners at Paris.
Thursday, 18th June.– Rec'd the news of an Engagement between a French & English Frigate not far from Morleaux, the French Frig. was ordered out to Adml. Byron to speak, she refus'd to Obey therefore were fired on by the Eng – the action began about half past 4 on the afternoon of yesterday and continued 5 hours, though the Engh. struck they were prevented bringing her off by Adml. Byron's Squadron 12 sail of the Line besides Frigates – the French Frigate lost 1 Lt. 1 officer of Marines and 38 men killed, and about 60 wounded.
Thursday, 2nd July.– Had the company of Col. Frazier & Mr. Pringle to Dine, afternoon went with them & Lieuts. Simpson & Hall on board the Britaigne of 110 Guns & 1400 Men were treated with the greatest civility & Respect from all on Board.
Friday, 3rd July.– This day arrived a Schooner called the Spy from New London with Dispatches from Congress.
Saturday, July 4th.– This being the Anniversary of American Independence, was observed as such Our Ship was dressed 13 guns discharg'd at 10 o'clock; At undressing 13 more; on drinking the Duke de Chartre's Health 9 guns were fired; a number of Patriotic Toast were drank; and universal Joy was diffused throughout the whole Ship's company.
Wednesday, July 8th.– This day the Fleet sail'd from this Place about 33 sail of the Line besides Frigates.
Thursday, 9th.– This Day arrived here a Brig from Carolina with Rice – no news C. Ray.
Friday, July 10th.– This Day the Lively Ship of war was brought into this harbour. On her refusing to comply with the commands of Capt. of the Frigate by which she was taken, she receiv'd a broadside from the Cannon & the fire from the Swivels & musketry both from below and aloft, which was returned by 3 guns when she struck. Her loss was about 20 kill'd & 40 wounded most of whom are since dead.
Friday, July 17th.– This day was brought in here the prize Cutter Alert of 12 guns the same which took the Lexington Brig of 14 guns Johnson Commr. She was taken by a Frigate.
Sunday, 28 June last were brought in here Two Cutters from Guernsey taken by Frigate Snow.
Wednesday, 22 July.– Rec'd the news of C. De Astangs arrival in Boston.
Monday, July 27th.– This day Thomas Simpson Esqr. 20 came on board with orders to take command of the Ranger; to the joy and Satisfaction of the whole Ships company.
Tuesday, July 28th.– This Day arrived from the Lamp [illegible] of 60 guns, with news of an Engagement between the Fleets.
Wednesday, July 29th.– Last night arrived a 74 This Day arrived the Fleet, excepting 1 of 80 1 of 60 and 1 Frigate, which they say parted from them in the Fog – they appear to have sustained no very considerable Damage in the late Fight.
Saturday, Augt. 8th.– Sent to the Hospital three of the Drake's People viz: Jno. Wilkinson Pilot John Colbert & John Rickets Seamen.
Sunday, Augt. 9th.– Sent to the Hospital Joseph Larcher a Prisoner from ye Drake.
Saturday 15.– Last night arrived Here the Barton & Providence, Whipple & Tucker from Nantes.
Thursday, 20th Augt.– Moved down in Company with the Providence & Boston Frigates, about four Leagues & came too, to give the People an Opportunity of expending their Prize Money. I had a very Fatiguing Time up to Brest on Business for Capt. Simpson and the widow of my deceas'd Friend Lt. Wallingford for whom I bought 32 Crowns worth.
Friday, 21st.– Very little wind this morning came to Sail & got down about 2 Leagues & anchored. At 3 P.M. came to Sail again and ran out with a fine Breeze.
Saturday, 22.– Very fine weather in the morning saw a Sail ahead were order'd by our Commodore to give chase came up with Her about 5 P.M. a Spanish Snow bound to Haver du Grace.
Sunday, 23rd Aug.– Chased a Dutchman all Day.
Monday, 24.– Spoke Brig call'd the Sally from London laden with Provisions, Beef Flour & Butter, 150 Tons Burthen. Sent her to America. Lat. 45.32 Long. 10.22.
Wednesday, September 2nd.– Being in chase in Latt. 47.21 Long. 27.24 at 3 P.M. carry'd away Our fore Top Mast and Main Top gall. Mast.
Wednesday, Sept. 9th.– Latt. 46.7 Long. 36.29. Took a Brig called the Friends from Granada bound to Glasco with Rum & Cotton about 100 Tons Burden. 10 Bags Cotton 134 Puncheons Rum.
Wednesday, 16th Septr. in Latt. 45.45 Long. 41.47 Took a Snow from Newfoundland Laden with Fish 150 Tons Burthen.
Thursday 17th.– 7 Morn gave chase to a large Ship to windward as far as we could see them from Top of mast head 7 in the Evening, came very near them but night coming on lost sight of them.