The Virginia Gazette

Last Monday returned into port, from a cruise, the private armed ship General Hancock, lately commanded by Capt. Ishmael Hardy.

On the 9th instant she fell in with the Levant English frigate of 32 guns, which about two o'clock P. M. hoisted a blue English ensign, jack, and pennant, and gave a bow gun. The Hancock hoisted continental colours, and got ready for engaging. The Levant then gave two guns, and came alongside the Hancock, upon which she hailed her; but they made no reply, upon which the fire became general. At a quarter past two o'clock the LeVant's ensign staff was shot away, when they were asked if they had struck. Their answer was, "No, no, fire away." At half past two Capt. Hardy received a wound in his right shoulder by a musket ball, which lodged in the vertebre of his neck; he fell and was carried below. The first Lieutenant then took the command, and engaged broadside for broadside till four o'clock, when the Levant blew up, part of which fell on board the Hancock. The boats were got out, and saved the boatswain and seventeen hands, ten of whom were wounded. They informed, that the Levant was navigated with ninety seven seamen, exclusive of landsmen and boys, and commanded by Capt. John Martin. She was from Morant Bay in Jamaica, bound to Bristol, and loaded with 380 hogsheads of sugar, 180 puncheons of rum, ten tuns of fustic, a quantity of mahogany, and had on board 20,000l. sterling in bills of exchange, and 17,000 dollars in specie; also, that five months ago they cruised off South Carolina, in pursuit of the Randolph frigate, in which time they took eleven prizes. The Hancock had four men killed, exclusive of the Captain; two lost their arms, and one lost his leg, besides eighteen badly wounded.