When was it published?

September 9, 1794 in The New Hampshire Gazette

Foreign News September 9, 1794

The New Hampshire Gazette

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Naval Affairs, Military Campaign

Q: What keywords are associated?

French Squadron, North Sea Cruise, Ostend Bruges Capture, Baltic English Fleet, Fair Island Encounter

Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

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What is this article about?

Capt. Murphy encountered a French squadron off Fair Island on July 20, which reported the unopposed French capture of Ostend and Bruges in late June. The squadron is cruising into the North Sea, posing a threat to lightly convoyed English fleets in the Baltic, though Murphy's fleet arrived safely.

Clipping

OCR Quality

95% Excellent

Full Text

Capt. Murphy, from Petersburg on the 20th July, off Fair Island, fell in with a French squadron bound on a cruise into the North Sea, consisting of five frigates and two sloops of war. One of them boarded Capt. Murphy, but did not detain him ten minutes. They informed him, that Ostend and Bruges were taken by the French, the latter part of June, without firing a gun; and that neither place was destroyed, as has been reported of the latter.--This squadron will probably make a great cruise, as there was no British ship of force in the Baltic, and Capt. Murphy left 100 sail of Englishmen at Petersburg, many of them about sailing--besides what were at other ports in the Baltic. Capt. Murphy sailed from Elsinore with a large English fleet, having only one frigate for a convoy, the whole of which must have fallen into the power of this squadron, had the latter been a few days earlier. The fleet, however, are supposed to have all safe arrived.

What sub-type of article is it?

Naval Affairs Military Campaign

What keywords are associated?

French Squadron North Sea Cruise Ostend Bruges Capture Baltic English Fleet Fair Island Encounter

What entities or persons were involved?

Capt. Murphy

Where did it happen?

Baltic

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

Baltic

Event Date

20th July

Key Persons

Capt. Murphy

Outcome

ostend and bruges taken by french without firing a gun; neither place destroyed; english fleet safe

Event Details

Capt. Murphy from Petersburg on 20th July off Fair Island fell in with French squadron of five frigates and two sloops bound for North Sea cruise. One boarded him briefly and informed of Ostend and Bruges captures in latter part of June. Squadron likely to make great cruise due to no British ships of force in Baltic and many English vessels there. Murphy left 100 sail at Petersburg and sailed from Elsinore with large fleet under one frigate convoy, which would have been captured if squadron earlier, but supposed all safe.