On the 28th of November, in the morning, we were off the Land's End, and were soon afterwards becalmed for a short time. In the evening, a fresh breeze springing up, we proceeded on our voyage. Before it was dark eight sail were seen from the mast head.
On the 29th we passed Commodore Paisley in the Bellerophon, with several frigates in company. The Commodore saluted the Admiral's flag with thirteen guns, which was returned from the Boyne with eleven guns.
As it may be proper to inform the reader that, in consequence of a particular invitation from the Admiral, the Commander in Chief and his suite, with several of the officers on the staff under him, were passengers in the Boyne, I shall here subjoin their names.
| His Excellency Sir Charles Grey, | K. B. Commander in Chief. | |
| Major General Thomas Dundas. | ||
| Lieutenant Colonel Symes, | Quarter Master General. | |
| Major Henry Grey, | Deputy Quarter Master General. | |
| Lieut. Col. Fisher, | Secretary to the Commander in Chief. | |
| Major Lyon, | Deputy Adjutant General. | |
| Captain Finch Mason, | } | Aid de Camps to the Commander in Chief |
| Lieut. John Cunningham, | ||
| Captain Newton Ogle, | ||
| Capt. Maitland, | Aid de Camp to Major General Dundas. | |
| Dr. Wardle, | Surgeon on the Staff. | |
| Also Chevalier Sancée, a brave and ingenious French Officer, whom theCommander in Chief took with him, as being acquainted with the island ofMartinique, and the fortifications of Fort Bourbon and St. Louis, havingserved under the Marquis de Bouillé at the construction of the formerworks. | ||
Thus, by the friendly intercourse subsisting between the two Commanders in Chief, the time on the passage was most usefully employed in forming plans of operation, which could not have been executed with that promptness that distinguished the ensuing campaign, had it been otherwise.
On Tuesday the 3d of December, the Rose frigate, Captain Riou, parted company; as did, on the 7th following, Commodore Thompson and part of the convoy, and we proceeded with the greater dispatch on our voyage.
On the 8th of December the wind proved foul, with rain and hazy weather. At night, in the middle watch, we were attacked by a squall of wind and rain, accompanied by a heavy sea, which struck the rudder with such violence, that the men at the wheel losing their hold, were thrown down; and the tiller breaking loose, stove in the gunner's cabin; at the same time the pinnace, a six-oared boat, that was suspended over the stern, was washed away, and totally lost.
On the 9th of December in the morning, the ship was taken aback by a sudden squall of wind, attended with thunder and lightning, with a most tremendous sea; we then wore ship, and stood to the south west. Those who have never sailed in a ship of war of the first or second rate, can form no idea of the grandeur and awfulness of the scene when so large a body is struggling with contending elements. As the ship rolls through the high swell her sides appear to twist and bend in a surprising manner. The guns hanging on one side, and pressing against the other, seem as if, at every roll, they would, by their immense weight, force their way through; which, added to the cracking of the cordage, the roaring of the wind, and a variety of other noises, forms a scene of surprise and alarm to the inexperienced voyager.
This squally weather continued at intervals for four days. On the 12th we saw some sea gulls. On the 13th two strange sail hove in sight; the Ulysses chased one of them, and we made sail after the other, and fired several shot at her to bring her to; but in the evening were obliged to give up the pursuit, for fear of parting from our convoy, which however happened in the following night, during a heavy gale of wind.
On Saturday the 14th we saw a gull, and several turtle passed near the ship.