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.