Northerly winds prevented the British ships from proceed-ing up the river until the 9th of October. On the morning of this day, the Independence was on the lookout as usual, but the captain was absent and the galley under the command of the lieutenants Putnam and Cleaves. It was about seven o'clock when these officers observed the hostile ships below, to be moving. They immediately piped all hands to quarters and signalized the news to their companions above; but did

Chapter I

BEFORE THE BATTLE OF WHITEPLAINS 7

not quit their station until they perceived that all the American vessels were under way. They then hove about, and stood up the river after their comrades. Having passed the chevaux-de-frise, they overtook two new ships, intended to be sunk in the channel, and spoke to Captain Cook who had charge of them, asking what he intended to do. Cook answered that he should stand up the river, as there was not water enough to go into Spyt den duivel Creek. The whole flotilla which had been at anchor off Fort Washington, was now under full sail, and as the wind was moderate, the Americans gained upon their pursuers, and hopeful of escape, were en-couraged to exertion, and kept steadily along. It was about eight o'clock in the morning, when the three hostile frigates with their tenders approached Fort Wash-ington, standing up the river before a gentle southern breeze. Commodore Parker in the Phoenix, led the way. A heavy fire was instantly opened upon the enemy, from the forts and batteries on Manhattan Island, and from those belonging to the opposite post at Mount Constitution on the Jersey shore, which a few days afterward, took the name of Fort Lee. The men-of-war to all appearance, sustained but little injury from the batteries, and were not impeded in the least by the chevaux-de-frise or hulks.