Ritchie reports on fighting between French and British fleets
Author
Recipient
Date Written
Aug. 17, 1779
History Referenced
The following was written 243 years, 7 months, 14 days ago.
It was a Tuesday.
Plymouth August 17/1779
Sir, My complements to you and to let you know we sailed from St. Helen’s Road in the morning of the 14th Instant and this morning are safe arrived here after a pleasant passage which we make thank God for as all last night we heard a great many guns a firing and both fleets being seen off Plymouth yesterday morning. Today since nine o’clock we brought up in the Sound. There is nothing but a continual fire heard to the offer of the harbor mouth and now is one o’clock. I am going on shore. All the people hear is looking out upon the tops of the hills, Sir I suppose we shall not sail from this until we hear from the fleet which I hop[e] shall [be]this evening with great joy. [?] we are all well. I have nothing pertinent to mention to you but remain your—
Humble Servant
John Ritche
Ship Providence
Scans of Letter
