From the high grounds in the rear, are fme views of the river. • Here, in 1777, a memorable engagement took place between the two British frigates, the Rose and the Phanix, 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, intenda Ili.-i sriiiT of office h still preserv.-d at'Yoakers In the Kbiipe of a silver oar, Inscribed "Court o£ Vicu Adiuiralty, New York.."

628 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

ing to run it alongside of the frigates. The crews, however, kept it oft' by means oftpars; 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 river.

The year r)re\-ious, General Heath had been requested by the person in command of the fire ships, to be a spectator of the burning of these vessels.

On the i6th of August, 1776, General Heath, accompanied by General Clinton and several other officers, took a proper position on the banks of the Hudson.

" The night," says Heath, himself, " was pretty dark ; we soon found that the gallics 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 to the side of the Phcenix, the other grappling one of the tenders. To appearance, the flames were against the side of the Phcenix, 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.