The Republican journal., 1869-11-25
A REVOLUTIONARY RELIC.
From the Philadelphia Post, Nov. 49,

Previous to the 20th of October, 1777, the
British vessels Roebuck, Of lorty-four guns !;
Merlin, of eighteen guns and a galley OF three
guns, We're blockading the Delaware river
and gradually approaching Philadelphia. At
that time the Americans had but two vessels
the Wasp and the Lexington-in that vi
cnity, and both were below the British ships
and We're of too inferior an order to make an
attack upon their adversares. To prevent
the British ships reaching the city fort was
erected on the Jersey shore Just above Wood
bury creek and checau1 detIise was so con-
structed that the vessels could not pass be-
yond it. 1t extended out from Hog Island
and 4 large number of huks were sunk as 4
sort of protection to this barrier.
| On the 10th Of October the British made an
attack upon the fortiiicatatons both by land
and water the land forces being commanded
! by General Danupe. The commander of the
colonial forces in Philadelphia lot loose twelve
fire ships, and by this means succeeded in
driving the attacking party back down the
river On the 22d OF October the British were
reinforced by the arrival of the Augusta, car
ryiug sixty-four guns They made Il second
attack. They met resistance from the guns
at the fort and also from the American gal
ley Chatham, Commander Lakewood, and
twelve other gallcys. Attor q long fight
the Americans succeeded in driving off the
British vessels. The Augusta being of an I'M
wicldy nature, grounded. No sooner had
the Americans discovered this than they
opened fire on her with hot shot, the result be-
ing that she was set on fire in several places
50 rapidly did the flames burn that Of hel
crew Of 800 men 40 were either drowned OF
burned. The remainder We're picked up by
the tenders of the Colonial fleet. The Angus
ia not only carried her own armament, but
had on board number Of guns and large
number of balls which We're intended for YES
sells fitting out on this side Of the ocean. Shc
was u new vessel, and that trip her first ant
last.
She has laid imbedded in the mud unit
within two years back when u party of five
men determined to attempt the raising OF tn,
wreck being stimulated thereto by the sup
\ position Of ther being in the hold quantit,
Of specie. Their names are James Powell
Joseph MouIt, George Mui ply, Gabric
Shapely and Charles Myers. Since that tim
they have labored continually, and now, aftc
expending over 1000 and their time the
efforts have been rewarded and the wreck ha
been moved up as far rs Gloucester, whcr
the greater portion can been seen any day 4
low tide. Within the past few days Il mum
Der of relics have been removed, among then
a lot Of sterling silver spoons marked III
W., l7io." with coat of arms consisting o
an ancient shaped cross, an old Englisl
bull's-eye watch, seven guinea pieces, bear
ing the vignettn OF George ILL.,, and wit
dates ranging from 1860 to l77O; some Span
, ish silver dollars, three guns Of heavy calibrC
which now lie on the beach ut Red Bank
about sixty tons weight of balls and abou
100 tons Of kentlidge iron, which had evident
" been used'as ballast. The iron is in squar
arrow head. Three human skulls have ais
been found. one Of which is remarkabl
for its thickness. There has also been toun
= small piece or strip Of copper, about thre
inches in length and one inch in thickness
: upon which is stamped the Lords Prayer
with the words, David P,eth, Drlt, II Gull
Edinburg, March, 1774,' the lettering ben
all in capitals. The vessel had been cor
| structed of irish oak aud Joined together wit
| tunnels Of The same n,atnris,l, not SinG
metal bolt being used. The timber is to-dt
pronounced as good rs when put together.