The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-28
FIRST FIGHT.
Contribution to the Naval
History of l776.
Gov. Lippitt Secures Records
0fBritiSh Admiralty.
Establish Rhode Islands Claim to
Lead In American Navy.

I
trcmely interesting information to tn
naval records of the American Revolutio
which establishes, once and for all, tb
fact that the first engagement with tn
British WAS by a Rhode Island ship com
manded by a Rhode Island officer, bra
ham WhippIe.
The governor sent to the Record ofiic
OF the British Admiralty, London, and ha
received copy OF the log of the British
Frigate Rose" for the cay on which tn
tenoer "Diana" belonging to the "Rose'
was defeated by Captain whipple's sloo,
in Narrsgansett Bay.
1t is as follows:
"This log was written by the Maste,
Savage Gardner between Oct. 3lst, i774,
and Nov. LIST, 1775. Master Gardner wa,
in command of the tender during the
Action June To-
The log reads as follows:-
June 18th.
Sent Master, Petty Offlcer and II men
armed in the sloop Diana Tender to this
ship to reconnoitre the different passages
up the river towards Providence.
June 18th. w. North.
First part fresh breezes and cloudy.
Middle and later light airs. About g
O'Clock as our tender was standing of
ana on between Gold Island and the
North Point CT Connanicut Island tbey
saw sloop standing down the river.
Our tender hove too to speak her. She
hailed the tender and told them to bring
TO directly or he would sink them
directly. Fired q shot which the tender.
returned and kept a smart fire on both
sides for about halt an hour when anot her
sloop joining and bringing our tender
beween the fires that they had no oppor.
tunity Of getting of, tho made two or
three tncks right off. BY accident the
Swivel catrages blowing up and the
musquet cartridges near expended.
Thought most prudent to--run the Tender
on shore to save the men which was
accomplished near the Mp. OF Consnicut
Island. Only a.petty officer and one man
wounded by the powder blowing up.
Tho constant fire on them at their land
ing. Night coming on they being closely
pursued separated and got safe on board
be ship by n oon next day.
Gunuers stores lost in the sloop. viz.
Bright musquets II, Marines ditto 2.
Cutlasses with scabbords IL, Bayonettes
with scabbords 9, Marines ditto z, Ships |
pistols IL, cartouch Boxes, with Belts
and straps r. Swiveis a, Aprons OF lead 4,
swivel irons and saddle one each. Pixies |
:, Cases of wood 2, Musquet cartridge |
box 2, Powderborns 3, priuiug irons 8,
Powder in Swivel cartridges so Pounds
cartridges, Founders do, 1-2 Pounders
10 Round Shot, Do 40, Grape 40. Mus.
luetshot 10 pounds, Pistol Shot 8 Pound. |
Bontswsins Stores viz. Rope 2 inch.
70 fen., IL inch so fem. Blocks of 2 inch
iouble larger of 8 inch 3 thimbles ~
iarline spikes 2. 1 Foremast steering
sil and MIR. F. j. q. Sail Hatchett,
2 Logg lines and Is Hammccks.
Carpenters stores viz. / driveryard.
ore j. Mast steering Sailyard ] Tarper-
ice.
Pursers stores viz. / Puncheon. !
,arreI."
In addition to the above copy from the
og book OF the "Rose" 10 this letter
ritten by the British captain, j. Wallace,
D Vice Admiral Graves:
Rose, Rid Island,
10 June, 1775.
apt. j. Wallace to Vice Admiral Graves.
Ir.
Since my last of the 9Th instant 1 had
formation OF this colony fitting out
med vessels from Providence to attack
10 Kings ships. Report says a Brig of
carriage guns, 200 men-a sloop of Ia
men, and four or five others
naller besides two fitting out at New
'ndon and at Dartmouth. In conse. ]
fence OF this 1 sent the two packets out
herent wsys to reconnitre. Unluckily
e OF these fell in with two of these
pops and after an action of half en- hour
IS run ashore, the particulars OF which
enclosed given me by the officer, who
on hoard at this time. had =
'r vessels loaded with Provisions
on tina point OF sailing to Boston. the
'ners agreeing with me for these Pro- r
dings-after settling the matter and
'ring the Pirates were at anchor about
esgues from us, got under weigh as
ret as possible expecting to fall upon
IN by surprize. However they got in
igenee and moved higher up towards
evidence in shallow water where IL was
proper Tor as to pursue them.
our return to New Port We found a ="
at number Of the towns people had IN
en- advantage Of our absence, armed a,
umter Of Boats and vessels, taken the
tusllors and carried them to Town, J"
nantled and unloaded them. and this =
e In the space of a few hcurs-this
cedure together with their behaviour
hearing of an action In Massachusetts
every assistance of men and 4
visions to the Rebel Camp, their pub
'cts OF Assembly ell demonstrate that
: sre rs much In Rebellion a. Put
and his camp. One OF the Brigs 7