We marched to New
London, about 15 Miles South from Norwich. This Town in no wise answered to the
Conceptions I had of its Magnitude or Grandeur; however, it is pleasantly
scituated on the West side of the River Thames. On the opposite side is a
handsome Village or Town called Groton. The River makes an excellent Harbour.
Here we found Admiral Hopkins with part of the American Fleet, which had
arrived two days before. They had sail'd from Philadelphia to where they took
possession of the King's Forts, and brought of all the Artilery, consisting of
a great Quantity of Cannon, Bombs, Mortars, Shot, &c. The Powder the Enemy
privately conveyed off on seeing that our People were determined to take
Possession. They also took in the West Indies several Vessels richly laden, the
Property of the English Merchants in England. On their Return home they came
across the Glasgo, Ship of War, off Block Island, with several other Tenders, a
Bomb Brig, &c. A Brig commanded by the Admirals Son first engaged the
Glasgo; and tho' the Glasgo was much superiour, yet he fought with courage for
3 Glasses when the Admiral came to relieve his Son, who was much shattered
& wanted time to refit. The Glasgo & the Admirals ship Alfred had a
Warm Engagement; but just as the Brig was coming up again, having refited, the
Alfred received an unlucky shot which carried away the Tiller Ropes, & they
could not manage her to get up with the Glasgo again. Cap. Hopkins, however,
engaged her warmly again with his Brig; but as the Glasgo from the beginning
made a runing fight of it, the other Ships were unable (being loaded) to get up
with her till she had got nigh to New Port, when the Admiral, expecting a
superiour force, would soon come out against him, gave a signal for quiting the
chase. During this Engagement Cap. Whipple, who commanded the Columbus of 36
Guns, kept at a distance, & never came up to the Assistance of the Alfred
& the Brig, but kept his distance. Most People say that had he given chase
he might have taken the Glasgo, as he was noways shattered & might have
come up with her; others say he could not on account of the Wind; how that is
will be determined. During the Engagement they took a Bomb Brig with 8
Carriage Guns & 2 Howitzers, &c., also a Schooner commanded by one
Wallace mounting 6 Carriage Guns, & brought them in. By all accounts the
Glasgo fought well & was much shattered, as were also the Alfred & the
Brig, on board of which about 10 Men were killed & the Brig's Capt, with
others wounded.
SOURCE: Edward
Bangs, Edited, Journal of Lieutenant Isaac Bangs, April 1 to July 29,
1776, pp. 21-3
