Extracts from the Journals of Miscellaneous Ships
Engaged in Sir Henry Clinton's Raid up the Hudson River,
October 17771

Presented Chronologically

October 1777
Fryday 3 Tartar       At a Single Anchor in Hudsons River
AM Loosd Sails to dry, Read the Articles of War &c to the Ship's Company, Recev'd Preventer Braces
      At a Single Anchor in Hudsons River Light Airs and hazey
PM   Came up the River 28 Flat bottomd Boats, at 9 PM came to Sail up the River, with the Mercury Brigg and two Galleys   at 12 Anchd off Tarry Town, sent the Cutter to Sound, got out the Stream Anch: & Tript the SB and hove the Ship into 6 fms.   came up the Flatt Boats with Soldiers [PRO, Adm. 51/972]
Thursday 2
[Friday 3]
Diligent       Do [Phillips's House East ¾ Mile Dist]
Variable Weather. at 10 AM weighd in Co. the Gallys   at Noon Came too of[f] Phillips's Farm in Six fm. Small Br   Gallys in Co.
      Do
Moderate and Variable at ½ past 9 P:M: H M Ships Tartar & Mercury Past Us going Up the River   Do Weighd and Made sail in Co. the Above ships and the Gallys. at Midnight Came too off Tarry Town in Co. the Above Vessells. [PRO, Adm. 51/4163]
Friday 3 Apollo       Moor'd off New York.
at 8 AM several flat Boats going to carry troops up the No River, Captain Pownoll to command the Landing;   heeld Ship to Starboard, & payd her Bottom with tallow and Chalk,   blackd the bends.
      Moor'd off New York.
Mod. and fine Wr. [PM] righted Ship. [PRO, Adm. 51/52]
Friday 3 Mercury       At an Anchor off Spiken-devel Creek
[AM] received on board Wood and Water.
      At an Anchor off Spiken-devel Creek
do.Weather [Little Wind and Cloudy] at 8 P.M. got under Sail in Company with the Tartar and Galley's
Saturday 4 Mercury at 2 A.M. Anchor'd off Tarry-Town   at 6 the Flat Boats came up and landed the Troops   at 9 Sent the Boats on Shore with 20 Marines.
      At an Anchor off Tarry Town up Hudson River
Moderate and Cloudy at 1 P.M. Came up and Anchor'd here the Preston Commodore Hotham with 11 Sail of Transports and a number of small Craft   at 9 Came to Sail up the River with the Tartar & Galley's   at 12 Anchor'd off Tallow's Point
Saturday 4 Dependence       Tarry Town East ¼ of a Mile   the Upper Mills NNE 3 Cables Lengths
at 1 AM Arrived here 42 flat Boats with Troops on Board them   at 5 AM the Tartar Made the Signal for the Troops to Land   fired 4 twenty four Pdrs. Round Shot to Cover the Troops Landg. do.   Landed with Only the Loss of One Man
      Tarry Town East ¼ of a Mile   the upper Mills NNE 3 Cables Lengths
Fresh Breezes and hazy Weathr. at 5 P.M. Anchd. here H. Ms. Ship Preston and a Fleet of Transports   at 9 PM Weigh'd and came to sail in Compy. H. Majests. Ships Tartar, Mercury, Dilligent Brig and the Spitfire and Crane Gallies, at 11 P.M. Anchd. per Signal with the Best Bower in 6 Fm. Tallards Point EbS 1 Mile [PRO, Adm. 51/4159]
Saturday 4th. Experiment       Moored off New York--
AM at 8 His Majestys Ship Preston Weighed Anchor, as did a number of Transports with Troops. and Went up the North River. at 9 Recd. onboard, fresh Beef,   Ship's Company Empd. Scraping the Sides,   our Barge & Cutter up the North River with our Captain & a Lieutenant, to assist the Flatt Bottom'd Boats--
      Moored off New York--
First Part Moderate and fair, Middle Calm Latter light Airs, PM Empd. Scraping Taring & Varnishing the Sides, Longbt. watering, [PRO, Adm. 51 331, 101-2]
Saturday 4 Preston       Moored off New York
AM Anchord here the Le Despencer packet from England   At 8 AM Weighd and came to Sail In Compy. the Crane Galley Hotham Tender & several Transports   ran up the No River   At 11 passed the Cheveau de frize   work'd the Ventulator
      Up the North River--
Little Wind and hazey Wear. At 4 PM Anchd with the Bt Br in 7 fath off Tarry Town and Veerd to 1/3 of a Cable   found riding here H:M:Ships Tartar and Mercury wth. the Galleys   ½ past 4 Anchord the Hotham and Tenders   At 5 Made the Signl for the Dependance Galley to join the Fleet with a Gun   ½ past repeated it   At 9 the Frigates Galleys &c. saild further up [PRO Adm. 51/720]
Sunday 5 Mercury       At an Anchor off Tarry Town up Hudson River
at 7 AM Weigh'd and Came to Sail up the River   at 10 Anchor'd again   at 11 the Preston and Transports Anchor'd near us, at Noon the Flat Boats landed some of the Troops on Plank Point
      At an Anchor off Plank Point
do. Wr. [Moderate and Cloudy]   at 2 P.M. Anchor'd nearer Plank Point with the Fleet   at 5 the Flat Boats landed the remainder of the Troops on Stoney Point   at 8 Weigh'd & Came to Sail up the River   at 9 Anchor'd off Dunderberrick Hill, the Galley's about 2 Miles a head of us [PRO Adm. 51/600]
Sunday 5 Dependence       Tarry Town East ¼ of a Mile   the Upper Mills NNE 3 Cables Lengths
at 11 A.M. Anchd. with the best Bower in 10 Fm. Water Planks Point EbS off shore 2 Cables Lengths   in Compy. the Diligent Brig Spitfire and Crane Gallies   at Noon the Troops Landed on Verplanks Point with out any Opposition
      Planks Point EbS 2 Cable Lengths
Modt. and fair Weathr. these 24 Hours at 1 P.M. Weigh'd per Signl. in Compy. His Majesties Brigg Diligent Spitfire and Crane Gallies and Hotham Sloop   at 2 P.M. Anchd. per signal with the best Bower in 8 Fm. Water in Compy. as before   Lents Cove south 3 Cables Lengths Peeks Kill NE 1 ½ Miles   at 3 Discover'd a Party of Rebles Brakg. the Brigg on Lents Creek   fired 4 twenty four Pdrs. round shot. at ½ past 3 PM Weigh'd per Signal and gave Chase to 5 Whale Boats   at 4 they perceiv'd us to Come up with them they run on shore   stood Close in After them   Do. sent our Boats Man'd and Arm'd to bring them Off   fired 14 twenty four Pounds with round and Canister to Cover the Boats   at ½ past 4 P.M. the Boats retd. havg. brote off 3 of the Reble Boats and Destroyd 3 more   at 6 PM Anchd with the best Bower in 7 Fm. Water Verplanks Point East 1 Cables Length [PRO Adm. 51/4159]
Saturday 4
[Sunday 5]
Diligent      Tarry Town EbS 1 ½ Mile Dist
at 6 AM weighd and ran up to haverstraw Bay in Co the Gallys and Armed Sloop Hotham. at 10 Do H M Ships Tartar & Mercury with the transports, Flatt Boats &c Joind Us. at Noon Weighd and Made Sail in Co as Above
     Plancks point NE 2 Miles Dist
     Ditto Weather [Modt. and fair Wr.]
     Kings Ferry West ½ Mile Dist
at ½ past 1 [PM] Came too off Kings Ferry as did the Gallys to Cover the Landing of our troops from the Flatt Boats   at 1 P.M. weighd and made sail the sloop & Gallys in Co. & stood Up the River     at 3 Do Came too Small Bower off Peeks Kill. fired 14 three pounders Shotted at some Armed Rebells   at 5 PM weighd and Made sail in Co as above   at 8 Do Came too of[f] Kings ferry with small Bower in 8 fm in Co as before. [PRO, Adm. 51/4163]
Monday 6 Dependence      Planks Point EbS 2 Cables Lengths
at 9 A.M. Weigh'd in Compy. the Diligent Brig Spitfire and Crane Gallies   at 11 AM Anchd with the small Bower per signal in 8 Fm. Water   Donder Burick East   North Peeks Kill EbS   off Shore 1 mile [PRO Adm. 51/4159]
     [afternoon's log in separate file; see note on dates in that file]
Monday 6 Diligent      Kings Ferry West ½ Mile Dist
5 AM weighd in Co as before and Stood Up the River   at 8 fort Montgomery in Sight   ½ past 8 fort independence NNE 1 Mile found that the fort was Evacuated   from 9 to Noon Plying off and on in Sight of fort independence   at Noon Came too Sl. Br.in 13 fm. Gallys in Co.
     Fort Independence NNE 2 Miles Dist
At ½ Past 12. weighd. Sloop and Gallys in Co. & stood Up for Fort Montgomery   Found as we Aproached A heavy Cannonade from the fort as also from A Rebell Frigate   fired 18 3 poundrs at the Frigate   at 8 PM Came too Small Br. in 20 fm about 1 ½ Miles Distant from the fort   at 10 Do. the Cable parted   in heaving up Lost 20 fm. and the Anchor. workd up to the Fort. [PRO Adm. 51/4163]
Tuesday 7 Mercury      At an Anchor off Dunderberrick Point
at 2 AM received the agreeable news of the Forts Montgomery and Clinton being Stormed and taken by our Troops and that the Rebels had set Fire to their two Frigates and Galley's   at 6 Wounded pass'd by us in their way to the Hospital Ship
     At an Anchor off Fort Montgomery up Hudson's River
Moderate and Cloudy P.M. got under Weigh and employed turning up to Fort Montgomery   at 4 Anchor'd off do. in 17 fm. Water [PRO, Adm., 51/600]
Tuesday 7 Dependence [log in separate file; see note on dates in that file]
Wednesday 8 Preston      Peeks Kiln ENE Fort Independence NBE ½ E & Butter Hill NW--
At 6 AM sent the Master Carpenter and Armourer to destroy the Chain which lay across the River   Flat Boats Employ'd Carrying Prisoners on board the Transports
     Peeks Kiln ENE Fort Independance NBE ½ E & Butter Hill NW-- [PRO, Adm. 51/720]
Wednesday 8 Mercury      do [At an Anchor off Dunderberrick Point]
at 8 AM sent the Longboat &ca. to assist in cutting the Chain across the River
     At an Anchor off Fort Montgomery up Hudson's River
Fresh breezes and Hazey   P.M   part of the Troops embarked and went up the River with the Deligence Brig and Galley's   at 5 Came on board the News of the Rebels having destroyed Fort Constitution [PRO, Adm. 51/600]
Wednesday 8 Dependence [log in separate file; see note on dates in that file]
Tuesday 7
[Wednesday 8]
Diligent      Fort Independence NNE 2 Miles Dist:
at 4 AM Came too in 19 fm. the Fort NW distt two Cable Lenght   at 6 weighd the Gallys and Flatt Boats in Co   the troops Landed, the Rebells having Evacuated Fort Constitution   Stood Up the River in Sight of New Windsor as far as the Chevaux de Frize wore Ship and Came too Small Bower in 15 fm. off Butter Hill Clove the Gallys in Co--
     Butter Hill Point West ½ Mile Dist: [PRO, Adm. 51/4163]
Thursday 9 Dependence [log in separate file; see note on dates in that file]
Wednesday 8
[Thursday 9]
Diligent      Butter Hill Point ½ Mile Dist:
Light Airs and fair   at 8 AM weighd & made sail the Gallys in Co & stood Down the River as far as fort Constitution   Tkd and Stood to the norward   at noon Came too Small Bower in 15 fm. off Butter Hill Clove
     Anthonys Nose NNW 1 ½ Miles Distant [PRO, Adm. 51/4163]
Thursday 9 Preston      Peeks Kiln ENE   Fort Independance NBE ½ E & Butter Hill NW
AM sent the people as before to take up the Chain   At 9 sent a Box of Money No 42 on board the Hotham Tender   At Noon the Mercury Anchd here   sent a party of Marines on Shore--
     Peeks Kiln ENE   Fort Independance NBE ½ E
First part Light Airs with hard rain   latter fresh gales   At 4 PM the Marines returned on board. 4 Transpts. Anchord here   sent the Master wth. his Party as before   the Mercury and a Transport Saild hence--[PRO, Adm. 51/720]
Friday 10 Dependence [log in separate file; see note on dates in that file]
Friday 10 Tartar      At a Single Anchor of[f] Fort Montgomery and Clinton in Hudsons River
at 7 AM sent on Shore with the Commodores Master, our Carpenter, Mids and 20. Men to help get up the Chain and Boom, which the Rebels had Run across the River, the Master went up the River to see if the Guns could be savd of the Rebel Frigates, which they Burnt
[PM] Modt. and Cloudy Wr.   came down all the small Craft and Anch'd here [PRO, Adm. 51/972]
Saturday 11 Preston      Peeks Kiln ENE   Fort Independance NBE ½ E & Butter Hill NW
AM Wash'd between decks   all our Boats variously Employed
     Peeks Kiln ENE   Fort Independence NBE ½ E & Butter Hill NW
Light Airs and fair Wear.   PM several Vessels from New York Anchd. here   recd. on bd. Three Six pounders and some Iron from the Montgomery Frigate Burnt [PRO, Adm. 51/720]
Saturday 11 Diligent      [Anchored off Fort Montgomery]
at 8 AM weighd in Co as before Standg. Up the River
     Working through the Highlands
Light Airs and fair   at 5 P:M: Pass'd through the Chevaux de Frize Steering Up the River   at 6 Do Saw a Rebell Gally   Gave Chace at 11 Do  Came too small Bower in 15 fm. off Pekepsie [PRO, Adm. 51/4163]
Sunday 12 Dependence [log in separate file; see note on dates in that file]
Monday 13 Dependence [log in separate file; see note on dates in that file]
Monday 13 Diligent      off Dons Common
6 AM weighd in Co. as Above   at 8 Came to Small Bower off Fish Kill Flatts, Fired at by several Companys of Armed Rebells   had 2 Men Slightly wounded. Fired Several three pounders Shotted at them as we passd
     At Single Anchor off Fish Kill Flatts
Moderate and Fair   at 1 PM Weighd in Co as before. Stood Down the River Recd: several Cannon Shott from an 18 pounder which the Rebels had got on a height at Newburg, Fired several three Prs. Shotted at Do.   at 2 Passd thro' the Chevaux de Freize   at 4 Came too Small Bower in 16 Fm. off Fort Montgomery   Gallys in Co [PRO, Adm. 51/4163]
Monday 13 Preston      Peeks Kiln ENE   Fort Independance NBE ½ E & Butter Hill NW
AM recd Bread   sent a party of Marines to Fort Independance and one Box of Money on board the Gimcrack Tender No 38   Boats empd as before
     Peeks Kiln ENE   Fort Independance NBE ½ E & Butter Hill NW
Modt. and fair Wear. PM several Transports saild up the River with the Galleys [PRO, Adm. 51/720]
Wednesday 15 Dependence [log in separate file; see note on dates in that file]
Wednesday 15 Diligent      off Pulaples Island
at 5 AM Weighd. & Dropt Down with the Ebb   ½ Past 6 Do. Joind the Transports Flatt Boats &c & Came too with small Bower in 15 fm. off Fort Constitution. [at] 8 Do Weighd & made sail in Co Gallys Transports Flatt Boats &c   at 10 all passd safe thro' the Chevaux de Freize   at Noon Passd Pekepsie.
     Working Up the River
Moderate & Fair   [PM] was Fired at by a number of armed Rebells from the Bushes as we passd. Fired several 3 Prs. Shotted at them   at 7 PM Came too Small Bower in 8 fm. off Little Eusopus Creek [PRO, Adm. 51/4163]
Thursday 16 Dependence [log in separate file; see note on dates in that file]
Thursday 16 Diligent      Working Up the River
at 8 AM weighd Gallys Transports, Flatt Boats &c in Co.   at Noon Turning Up the River
     Do [Working Up the River]
Do. Wr. [Moderate & Fair]   1 PM Came too off Eusopus Creek to Cover the Landg of the Troops   was Fired at from a small Fort and a Rebell Gally   at 3 Do weighd & Stood on to the mouth of the Creek in 4 fm.   anchd. and sent a Boat a head   at 5 Do Sent several Boats Armed to Burn the Town in Doing which our Gunnner and two Men were by Accident Blown Up and severely Burn'd they Lost their Musquets   at 10 Do the troops Embarqued [PRO, Adm. 51/4163]
Friday 17 Diligent      Do [off Eusopus Creek]
at 9 AM weighd in Co as Above & Stood Do Up the River
     Do [Working Up the River]
Moderate & fair   at 5 PM Came too Smal Bower in 7 fm off Red Hook   the troops landed & sett fire to some Mills. Houses. Barns &c   Weighd & endeavourd to stand in Shore to Cover the landing   Ran aground on the Edge of the Flatts   at 8 PM the troops reembarqued [PRO, Adm. 51/4163]
Saturday 18 Dependence [log in separate file; see note on dates in that file]
Saturday 18 Diligent      [Aground on Esopus Flats]
at 1 AM Got off without any Damage save the loss of 14 Sweeps which were Broke in Shoreing the Vessell Up   at 10 AM weighd & towed Up the river Gallys Transports &c in Co
     Towing Up the River
Ditto Wr. [Moderate & fair]   at 2 PM Came too Smal Bower in 7 fm. in Co as above off Levingstons Upper Manor   set fire to several houses Barns &c   at 6 weighd and Dropt down with the Ebb a little to the Southward of Levingstons Manor as did the Gallys [PRO, Adm. 51/4163]
Sunday 19 Mercury      At an Anchor off West Point up Hudson's River
do. Weather [Moderate and Cloudy]   at Noon Weighed and Came to Sail up the River.
     Sailing up the River
Fresh Breezes and Cloudy   at 2 P.M. Anchor'd off Polipus Island in 8 fms. Water and about the distance of 2 Cables lengths from the Chevaux de Frize, New Windsor Church bearing NW distance about 4 Miles. [PRO, Adm. 51/600]
Wednesday 22 Diligent      At Single Anchor as above [2 miles to Sward of Levingstons Manor]
AM Got Up T Gl Masts & Yards
     At Single Anchor as above
Light Airs and variable   at 1 PM Weighd in Co the Gallys. Transports Flatt Boats &c & stood down the River   at 7 Do Came too Small Bower in 6 fm. off Eusopus Gally[s] &c in Co. [PRO, Adm. 51/4163]
Thursday 23 Dependence [log in separate file; see note on dates in that file]
Thursday 23 Diligent      [Anchored off Esopus]
at 9 AM weighd per Signal in Co as above   at Noon passd the 9 Partners   were fired at by Several Armed Rebells from the Bushes as we passd which we Returned
     Steering Down the River
Light airs with Frequent Calms   at 4 PM Passd Pekepsie in Co as before   Fired 10. 3 Prs. Shotted with Grape at several bodys of Armed Rebells [PRO, Adm. 51/4163]
Thursday 23 Raven      Laying off Pecks Kill in the North River
(AM) came onboard an Officer from the Cerborus with an order to go as near Fort Independance as posibale to cover the landing of the Troops   Do. hove up and warpe'd, close to the Fort at 10 the above Landed   at Do. Departed this Humprey Williams Marine   at 11 Do. enterred the above   got the Kedge out on the Quarter to keep her broadside to the Fort   passed by the Mercury's Tender
     Laying off Pecks Kill in the North River
First and Mid. Clear weather   latter Foggie
at 3 PM) the Troops Imbarked onboard the Battoes after demolishing the Fort   Do. hove up and run further of[f] and came too and Moored with the Kedge in 13 fm.   sent the Longboate watering. [PRO, Adm. 51/771]
Friday 24 Dependence [log in separate file; see note on dates in that file]
Saturday 25
[Friday 24]
Diligent      Butter Hill South three Miles Distant
at 9 AM weighd in Co H M Ship Mercury the Gallys, Transports &c & workd down the river from 10 to Noon   fired 12. 3 prs. Shotted at some Armed Rebels Who Anoy'd Us from the Shore
     Martlets Rock SbE 2 Cables length Distant
Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Wr.  at 1 PM Bore away in Co H M Gally Dependance   at 3 Do. Came too Small Br. in 6 fm. off Puloples Isld: the Gally in Co. [PRO, Adm. 51/4163]
Friday 24 Mercury      [At an Anchor off Polipus Island near the Chevaux de Frize]
at 9 A.M. Came down the River and Anchor'd here the Galley's and Transports.
     [At an Anchor off Polipus Island near the Chevaux de Frize]
[at Noon] do. Weather [Little wind and Hazey]   Fir'd a Gun and made the Signal for the Fleet to Weigh   do. Weigh'd and came to Sail   empd. turning down the River, Fir'd several Guns loaded with Round & Grape Shot at the Rebels, who were Firing at us from each side of the Shore. [PRO, Adm. 51/600]
Saturday 25 Mercury Employed turning down the River
Fresh Breezes & Hazey  at 1 P.M. Struck the Ground, run out a Hawser to the Crane Galley & haul'd off [PRO, Adm. 51/600]
Saturday 25 Raven      Laying off Pecks Kill in the North River.
at 6 AM) came an Officer from the Tarter with Orders, to go to Fort Clinton, Do. got under way and worked up the River   at 7 came on board Orders to go back on our Station again   at 9 Do. came too again with the small Bower   vaired to 1/3 of Cable   recev'd on board [   ] bls of fresh Beef.
     Laying off Pecks Kill in the North River.
These 24 Hours Do. breezes and cloudy [PM] moored with a Kedge & hawser   at 2 AM)[PM] Anchd. alongside the Tender   at 8 Do. came up the Hotham Tender   Do. Passed by His Majesty's Ship Mercury & Tarter and Gallies wh. Transports &ca. after Evecuat'ng Fort Vaughan &ca.   at 10 weigh'd and brought up the rear [PRO, Adm 51/771]
Sunday 26 Diligent      [off Puloples Isld.]
at 10 AM Weighd and Stood Down the River in Co. the Gally   at Noon Past Fort Montgomery
     Steering Down the River
The first Part Fresh Breezes & Cloudy   Middle & Latter attended with Rain   at 4 PM Joind H M Gally the Spitfire and Armed Sloop Hotham and Friendship Transport   at 8 Came too Small Br. in 6 fm. off Phillips's farm in Co. the Spitfire & Dependance Gallys [PRO, Ad. 51/4163]
Sunday 26 Mercury      Employed in turning down the River
[AM] at 7 Weigh'd and came to Sail down the River   at 9 Anchor'd off Plank Point in 8 fms. Water
     At an Anchor off Plank Point
Fresh breezes and Cloudy   at Noon Weigh'd and Came to Sail, bringing up the Rear of the Fleet   at 6 [PM] Anchor'd off Spiken devel Creek with the Bt. Br. Anchor, the Fleet still continueing their Course for New York, except the Crane & Spitfire Galley's [PRO, Adm. 51/600]
Sunday 26 Raven      Laying off Pecks Kill in the North River.
(AM) at 3 passed Terry Town   a Ttranspt. a Ground with 3 Gallies at Anchd. alongside   at 7 came too with the small Bower in 7 fm. water little above Spite Divel Creek   found riding her[e] his Majestys Ship Mercury & 2 Transports   came on board Captn. Stanhope with the people in the flatt boats and from the Tender [PRO, Adm. 51/771]
Sunday 26 Tartar      At a Single Anchor of Fort Montgommery and Clinton
at 8 AM the Transports came down the River with the Mercury, and all the Troops came off from Fort. Montgommery and Clinton, at 10 Fird a gun and made the Signl to get under way, do. came to Sail with the Transports and Small Craft   at Noon Stoney point WNW, and Planks pt. East
     Sailing down the River Stoney point WNW and Planks point East
Do. Wr.[Modt. and hazey]   at 8 PM Anchd. with the S Br. in 7 fm. and veerd to a whole Cable, Polers Hook WSW, the old Church EbN ½ N [PRO, Adm. 51/972]


1Taken from Naval Documents of The American Revolution, Volume 10: American Theatre: October 1, 1777-December 1, 1777. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1996.