The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

From the London Gazette Extraordinary.

Admiralty Office, Aug. 9, 1781.

Lieut. Rivett, of his Majesty's cutter the Surprise, arrived here this afternoon, with a letter from Vice-Admiral Parker to Mr. Stephens, of which the following is a copy.

Fortitude, at Sea, Aug. 6, 1781.

SIR,

Yesterday morning we fell in with the Dutch squadron, with a large convoy, on the Dogger-Bank. I was happy to find I had the wind of them, as the great number of their large frigates, might otherwise have endangered my convoy. Having separated the men of war from the merchant ships and made a signal to the last to keep their wind, I bore away with a general signal to chase. The enemy formed their line, consisting of 8 two-decked-ships, on the starboard tack; ours, including the Dolphin, consisted of 7. Not a gun was fired on either side, until within the distance of half musket shot. The Fortitude being then abreast of the Dutch Admiral, the action began, and continued, with unceasing fire, for three hours and forty minutes; by this time our ships were unmanageable. I made an effort to form the line, in order to renew the action, but found it impracticable. The Bienfaisant had lost a main top-mast and the Buffalo her fore-yard; the rest of the ships were not less shattered in their masts, rigging, and sails: the enemy appeared to be in as bad a condition. Both squadrons lay too a considerable time near each other, when the Dutch, with their convoy bore away for the Texel: we were not in a condition to follow them.

His Majesty's officers and men behaved with great bravery, nor did the enemy show less gallantry. The Fortitude was extremely well seconded by Capt. Macartney in the Princess Amelia; but he was unfortunately killed early in the action. Lieut. Hill has great merit, in so well supporting the conduct of his brave Captain.

As there was great probability of our coming into action, Capt. M' Bride very readily obliged me by taking the command of that ship: and I have appointed Mr. Waghorne, my First-Lieutenant, to the command of the Ariadne. This gentleman, although much hurt in the action, refused to leave my side while it lasted. Capt. Gamble, of the Preston, has lost an arm.

Inclosed, I transmit a return of the killed and wounded, and an account of the damages sustained by the ships.

The enemy's force was, I believe, much superior to what their Lordships apprehended: I flatter myself they will be satisfied that we have done all that was possible with ours. I am, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

H. PARKER.

P. S. The frigates this morning discovered one of the Dutch men of war sunk at 22 fathom water, her top-gallant-masts were above the surface, and her pendant still flying, which Capt. Patten has struck and bro't to me on board. I believe she was the second ship in the line, of 74 guns.

A return of the killed and wounded in the action on the 5th of August, 1781.

Admiral Parker's squadron, at the time of the action, consisted of one ship of 90 guns, two of 74, one of 64, one of 60, one of 50, one of 44, one of 38, one of 36, and one of 32. (Besides the Dolphin.)

Ships Names.	Killed.	Wounded.	Total.
Fortitude,	20	67	87
Bienfaisant,	6	21	27
Berwick,	18	58	76
Princess Amelia,	19	56	75
Preston,	10	40	50
Buffalo,	20	64	84
Dolphin,	11	33	44
	104	339	443