vateers. All had fled thither for safety when the British took
possession of Philadelphia, and now found themselves caught in a trap.
To run the blockade of British batteries and men-of-war at
Philadelphia, was impossible; and there was nothing to do but wait
until the enemy should evacuate the city.

But the British were in no haste to leave Philadelphia; and when they
did get ready to leave, they determined to destroy the American
flotilla before departing. Accordingly on the 4th of May, 1778, the
water-front of the Quaker City was alive with soldiers and citizens
watching the embarkation of the troops ordered against the American
forces at Whitehall. On the placid bosom of the Delaware floated the
schooners "Viper" and "Pembroke," the galleys "Hussar," "Cornwallis,"
"Ferret," and "Philadelphia," four gunboats, and eighteen flat-boats.
Between this fleet and the shore, boats were busily plying, carrying
off the soldiers of the light infantry, seven hundred of whom were
detailed for the expedition. It was a holiday affair. The British
expected little fighting; and with flags flying, and bands playing,
the vessels started up stream, the cheers of the soldiers on board
mingling with those on the shore.

Bristol, the landing-place chosen, was soon reached; and the troops
disembarked without meeting with any opposition. Forming in solid
column, the soldiers took up the march for Whitehall; but, when within
five miles of that place, a ruddy glare in the sky told that the
Americans had been warned of their coming, and had set the torch to
the shipping. When the head of the British column entered Whitehall,
the two new American frigates "Washington" and "Effingham" were
wrapped in flames. Both were new vessels, and neither had yet taken on
board her battery. Several other vessels were lying at the wharves;
and to these the British set the torch, and continued their march,
leaving the roaring flames behind them. A little farther up the
Delaware, at the point known as Crosswise Creek, the large privateer
"Sturdy Beggar" was found, together with several smaller craft. The
crews had all fled, and the deserted vessels met the fate of the other
craft taken by the invaders. Then the British turned their steps
homeward, and reached Philadelphia, after having burned almost a score
of vessels, and fired not a single shot.

On the high seas during 1778 occurred several notable naval
engagements. Of the more important of these we have