There are many interesting items relating not only to Ocean county but to the State at large to be collected from ancient maps and charts. And I will here take the liberty of calling attention to that portion of the Report of the Superintendent United States Coast Survey for 1856 which refers to the labors of Dr. J. G. Kohl. By the sketch given of Dr. Kohl's report to the United States Superintendent it appears that he has examined about five hundred charts, maps and works relating to our coast from 1407 to 1855. These were found in this country and Europe, and his researches for information relative to the American coast were probably the most thorough ever made, and it is a great misfortune that his report has never been published, but yet lies buried in the archives of the Superintendent's office at Washington. As the United States Superintendent's report for 1856 is easily to be obtained for reference, it is unnecessary here to give a full description of Dr. Kohl's report; it will suffice to state that, among other matters, it contains:
A history of the Dutch discoveries and of expeditions to the regions between Virginia and New England executed during the first quarter of the 17th century by Navigators Hudson, Black, Hendrickson, Christiansen, May, Vries, and others. (Part 1st, Chap. 10.) The first part has also a map tracing the routes of the principal discoverers, and to all the principal bays, harbors, &c, on the coast is appended the names of the principal explorers.
The Second part of Dr. Kohl's report contains a review of the names on the Atlantic coast; to every name is added an essay or note giving the origin and changes of name, its history, &c. Part 1st, Chap. 13, gives New Jersey coast from Shrewsbury inlet to Cape May; chapter 14 gives Delaware bay and river.
The Third part contains among other matter a list of the titles of books which treat on the history, geography, &c, of our coast, with critical notices; also lists of maps and surveys; and has copies of 40 principal maps having especial historical interest.
A copy of so much of Dr. Kohl's report as relates to New Jersey would prove a valuable acquisition to our Historical Collections. Inasmuch as our Government has paid for his report it should be published.
August 5th, 1778. "Lately retaken and brought into Little Egg Harbor by two New England privateers in company with Capt. John Rice, a brig and a sloop loaded. Several at the same time takes into Great Egg Earbor by the privateer sloop Cornet, Capt. Yelverton Taylor and others." (N. J. Gazette.)
"By a gentleman from Egg Harbor we learn that a few days since a sloop from Jamaica bound to New York was brought in there. It seems that a number of Americans captured at sea and carried to that island had been put on board in order to be sent to New York, and on their passage rose and secured the master and hands and brought the vessel into the above port. She was loaded with rum, sugar, etc."
In November, 1780, several persons were apprehended in Philadelphia, for carrying on a contraband trade with the enemy by way of Egg Harbor vessels. Their vessels would clear for Boston but had British passports. Among those taken were Capt. James Steelman. John Shaw, -------Black; a man named Atkinson concerned with them escaped.
"June 17th, 1778. Wm. Marriner a volunteer with eleven men and Lieut. John Schenck of our militia went last Saturday evening from Middletown Point to Long Island in order to take a few prisoners from Flatbush, and returned with Major Moncrieff and Mr. Theophilus Bache (the worshipful Mayor and Tormentor-General, David Mathews, Esq., who has inflicted on our prisoners the most unheard of cruelties and who was the principal object of the expedition being unfortunately in the city,) with four slaves and brought them to Princeton to be delivered to his Excellency the Governor. Mr. Marriner with his party left Middletown Point on Saturday evening and returned at six o'clock the next morning having traveled by land and water above fifty miles and behaved with the greatest bravery and prudence." (Gazette.)
The sloop Susannah, Capt. Stoeker of eight guns and thirty-five men, fitted out at Egg Harbor. On the 29th of August, 1778, off that port fell in with the "Emerald" man of war tender, a sloop of 10 guns, when a severe engagement ensued in which the Lieutenant who commanded the tender with several of the crew fell and the vessel was only saved by flight. Two vessels under convoy of the tender in the beginning of the action stood to the northward and also escaped. Capt. Stoeker during the engagement showed the greatest bravery and has gained the esteem and confidence of his crew; he had one man killed and six wounded.
The privateer General Lee came around from Egg Harbor on Saturday last. (Packet, Sept. 1778.)
About the last of September, 1778, a fleet of thirty British vessels, and the next day fifty more, sailed southward along our coast.
August 25th, 1779. The Schooner Mars, Capt. Taylor, took a snow (3 masted vessel) the "Falmouth" (see Hist. Coll. p. 66,) a packet and forty-five prisoners; but the prize was retaken by the British; Capt. Taylor got safe into Egg Harbor. In September, 1779, Capt Taylor took a prize into Egg Harbor, containing a Hessian colonel and 214 privates, also dry goods, etc.
In June, 1779, some Jerseymen went in rowboats to Sandy Hook, and took from the British four sloops, one of which was armed; they burned three and took one, also nineteen prisoners; the share of prize money was £400, per man.
About December 1st, 1778, Capt. Stevens, in a privateer belonging to Egg Harbor, took the schooner Two Friends, Capt. Sion of New York; the Two Friends had six carriage and twelve swivel guns, and twenty-two men.
About September 1st, 1782, Capt. Douglas with some Gloucester County militia attacked a Refugee boat at Egg Harbor with eighteen Refugees on board, fourteen of whom were shot or drowned, and four escaped. This was supposed to be the band that robbed Mr. Fennemore, Collector of Burlington County.
Mem. - Very many exploits on our coast have been published in Modern works and are here omitted.