The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-03-21
MEMOIR OF RHODE-IsLAND.
1776.
Drriag the Kings ships cut Of Newport
HdrbOr.

HdrbOr.
We have accidentally found very par
ticular account Of the manner in which this
was effected, by an anonymous writer,
who appears TO have great feeling on the
occasion, and must have been one OF the vi
olent Wings of that day. His account is
accompanied with drawing Of the harbor
ofNewport, and the position of every ves-
sci, and every gun on the land, aud exhibits,
with much ingenuity. every scene of the
several actions. We here give a literal copy
of the said anonymous production, viz:
" An account and representation of fonr
successful eaunonadings of the Kings ships
at Newport on the 9th, 7,h, aud I4th Of A.
priI l776.
The fleet under the command of Capt
Wallace, having anchored off Coddington's
Point, abuut mile above the town of New
port, the brave, heroic, 81 intrepid Col Bah
cock ordered two ls Founders to be brought
from heed quarters and placed on an emf
nence near the shore in open view, uncover
ed, Without ANY brcas,wori, aud entirely ex-
posed to the enemy with these, on the
morning Of The 6,h of April Major Elliot of
The sro,n) began, und for about All hour
kept up vigorous fire on the Kings ships :;
they returned few shot, but without effect
Our shot took effect, annoyed The enemy
snd forced them TO a shameful and preeipi-
tate flight. This was fair aud open trial
Of that nIenacing, bullying coward, the in-
famous Wallace whose feet of 10 sail, of
which three were men of war, was driven
off by only two cannon.
As Wallace went out to sea, the Glasgow
Of 30 guns, Capt. How, returned aud an-
ehnred off Fori-Islaud, having the same
morning received a severe chaslsement in
. naval engagement with Admiral Hopkins
of Block Island. The night following,
Col. Richmond caused several pieces Of can-
non to he brought and placed at the end of
Breuton's Point, where they were placed
behind slight brenstwork hastily thrown
up the same night; on the morning of 9Th
ef April Col. Richmond Unexpectedly be-
gan such heavy aud bold fire upon the
Glasgow, and a hospital Snow, that both in
n few minutes cut their cables aud went of
in the greatest surprise and confusion, till
they vanished in thick fog that then COW
cred the Bay. In this they skuked off
without firing a single shot, went round The
North end Of Canonicut and went yelping
out to seu in quest of the fleet.
Thus, in these two instances, an expert
ment was made of the efficacy Of cannon on
shore, in driving off The Kings ships.
The harbor was once more clear of an in
sulting navy, but did not continue so long
for in the afternoon of the | lih of April part
of,he Georgia feet, in their way to Halifax
put In here and anchored between Rose Is
land and the Dumplins; these were the
Scarborough of 20 guns, (bavlpg on board
SirJ. Wright, Governor of Georgia, and ih'
refugees, being part Of eleven vessels whicl
sailed from Savannah the 30th of March
the Scymetar, Transport Of Is guns an,
and two prizes. The Rhode-isIand Gal
lies, Spit6re and Washington, each will
two lS Founders in their head, was then a
Newport under the command of Commo
dore Grimes. 1t was instantly determined
to attempt The prizes The mode of artscl
va. this. while Capt. Grimes boarded th'
prizes, Capt Hyers was to annoy the Scar
borough and hold her ia play while the pri
zes could be carried off. Col Babcock hat
taken measures that in case the ships sboul,
rome uear the North Battery or Breuton'
Point, the Artillery and cannon should b
resdy to play a, either or both places.
The two Gallies sailed from the whar
with ligh, breezes at South, the gallan
Capt. Grimes iu the Spitfre came up witt
the prize Brig at eleveu o'clock at night
five Of hi, o,eu boarded and took her frou
ssder the stern Of tie Man Of Worth
Scarborough got under way as soon as tn
Brig, bot Captain Hyers SO annoyed an
moles,sd her 10 the purssit, tha, the Bri
escaped and was broxgh, into ;bs wharf !
the Point; by this time the ship had g,
within Rsse Islasd aud Cost Islsnd, -hs
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