Here, in 1777, a memorable engagement took place between the two British frigates the Rose, and the Phoeni.K, which lay off at anchor, and the gun boats of the patriots which sallied out of the harbor of Yonkers, having in tow a large tender filled with combustibles, intending to run it along side of the frigates. The crews however, kept it oft' by means of spars, and a heavy fire of grape and cannister compelled the gun boats and their brave crews to seek shelter in the mouth of the Saw Mill.

The year previous. General Heath had been requested by the person in command of the fire ships, to be a spectator of the burning of these vessels.

16 August, 1776, General Heath accompanied by General Clinton and several other officers, took a proper position on the bank of the Hudson. " The night, says Heath himself, was pretty dark ; we soon found that the gallies

» His staff of office is still preserved at Yonkers in tiie sliape of a silver oar, inscribed " Court of Vice Admirajty, New York."

4G0 HISTORY OF THE

and fire vessels were silently moving up with the tide. After some time, and almost immediately after the sentinels on board the British ships had passed the word " all is well," two of the fire vessels flashed into a blaze ; the one close on the side of the Phcenix, the other grappling one of the tenders. To appearance, the flames were against the side of the Phoenix ; and there was much confusion on board. A number of cannon were discharged into the fire vessel in order to sink her. A number of seamen ascended and got out on the yard arm, supposed to clear away some grapplings. The fire vessel was along side as was judged near ten minutes, when the Phoenix either cut or slipt her cable, let fall her fore topsail, wore round and stood up the river, being immediately veiled from the spectators by the darkness of the night.