538 
SIEGE OF MINORCA. 
selves so as to form a Chain of Sentrys along the Line wall from St 
Stephens cove to the Quay, and in five Minuts were so posted, that 
neither man nor beast could escape their notice. 
Apni 17th. The French Fleet appeared off Fornelles, consisting of 12 Sail of 
Men of War, and a vast number of Transports ; and the Company of 
Col Rich's Regiment Quartered there marched for St. Philips ; the 
Guards were augmented, the Town Guard to 60 Meu, a Captain at 
Marlborough Fort, a Subaltern at the principal Barriers, a Subaltern 
at St Stephens, and a Subaltern at the Royal Battery ; and every 
body prepared to go in to the Castle. 
„ i 8 th. Early this morning the French Fleet appeared in sight of Ciudadela, 
on which the five Companies of Col Rich's with two Field Pieces 
marched for St Philips. In the afternoon the French began their 
Disembarkation at, and near to Ciudadela. Major Cunningham went 
out with a Party of Pioneers who with a party of Col Rich's com¬ 
manded by Lieut Kennedy, endeavoured to destroy the Road ; they 
were covered by a Captain's Command from Mahon, and returned to 
St. Philip's Castle at night. 
„ 19th. A Field Officer's Party was left at Mahon, and Col Cornwallis's 
Regiment quartered there marched in to the Castle; as did also the 
Reg 1 quartered in the Town of St Philips. 
,, 20th. A mine was sprung under the Friary hill at Mahon to destroy the 
Road; a Captain's command was sent to English Cove, and another 
to middle mount to cover the retreat of the Field Officer's party at 
Mahon ; which marched in the Evening bringing with them 3 Spaniards 
taken in the Streets, the rest having fled and secured themselves. 
The French came this night to Alaor. Commodore Edgecombe in 
the Deptford, and Captain Lloyd in the Chesterfield sailed. 
„ 21st. The Princess Louisa, Captain Noel, the Portland, Captain Baird, 
and the Dolphin with 30 men under the Command of Lieut O’Hara, 
sailed out of the harbour ; Captain Scroop with the rest of the Dolphin's 
Crew were left behind to strengthen the Garrison as were likewise all 
the Marines under the command of Capt Mason and two Lieut s , with a 
Detachment from Gibraltar that was on board the Deptford, commanded 
by Lieut Devoisrie; It is said that Capt Baird was very much for the 
men of War remaining to reinforce the Garrison, which had no other 
addition but what we have mentioned above, some Greeks and a very 
few Spaniards. 
This day the Enemy appeared on this side Mahon. A part of the 
Garrison were employed in bringing in empty Wine Casks from the 
Town, and in destroying the Fascine Battery that was erected at the 
Quay; to defend the entrancd of the harbour. 
„ 22nd. General Blakeney sent out a Drummer to the Marshal Duke De 
Richelieu who commanded the French forces, to know the reason of 
his invading the Island in an Hostile manner (or to that effect). The 
fireship was sunk this day at the entrance of the Harbour. The 
Lieut Governor proposed to Captain Scroop, that the boom which was 
to have been laid across the harbour to obstruct its entrance, might be 
cut and brought away; but it was Capt Scroop's opinion it would be 
attended with too much difficulty, as it was so firmly secured with 
Anchors and Chains. 
