noon
`` But Lieutenant-Colonel Smith , a gallant officer in command of the fort , very vigilant and brave , thwarted all their efforts and greatly assisted the flotilla in repulsing them . `` The fire of the Americans was so fierce and incessant that the British vessels presently tried to fall down the stream to get beyond its reach . But a hot shot struck the _ Augusta _ and set her on fire . She also got aground on a mud bank near the Jersey shore and at noon blew up . `` The fight between the other British and the American vessels went on until three o'clock in the afternoon , when the _ Merlin _ took fire and blew up near the mouth of Mud Creek . `` The _ Roebuck _ then dropped down the river below the _ chevaux de frise _ , and for a short time the Americans were left in undisturbed possession of their forts . `` Howe was , however , very anxious to dislodge them , because the river was the only avenue by which provisions could be brought to his army in Philadelphia .