“The Bristol of 50 guns, commanded by Sir Peter Parker, greatly damaged in her hull, large knees and timbers shot through and smashed; if the water had not been smooth it would have been impossible to have kept her from sinking; all the carpenters in the fleet had been called to her assistance; mizen-mast shot through, main-mast badly wounded by three several shot, fore-mast by two, rigging, sails and yards much damaged. The Captain of the Commodore lost his left arm above the elbow; he was sent yesterday (June 30) to England in a brigantine; the Commodore’s breeches breeches torn off, his thigh and knee wounded, he walks only when supported by two men; 14 men killed and 30 wounded, among whom were many midshipmen and petty officers; 20 of the wounded dead since the action; talk in the fleet that the two large ships would go over the bar again, and proceed to English Harbour, in Antigua, to be repaired. The Bristol when lightened as much as possible, draws 18 feet water.”
-Excerpt from a report about the Battle of Sullivan’s Island (South Carolina, 1776) taken from the July 27, 1776 issue of the Providence Gazette
Rev War Bristol 