February the 15th, Captain Boscawen and Captain Knowles were sent with a Message to the French Governor; the Purport of which was, that the Admiral not being on board his Ship, when an Officer came off to speak to him, he had not seen him, but now sends to know what he had to offer; that the Fleet was forced by strong Breezes into the Bay; that he desires Leave to Wood and Water: They return'd with a very polite Answer, and brought an Account of the Marquiss d'Antin's being sail'd for Europe.
Capt. Renton came into the Fleet, and confirm'd the Report, "That the Marquis d'Antin sail'd with his Squadron for Europe, January the 26th."
February the 16th, the principal Council of War being assembled, it was resolved, that the Fleet, after having taken in Wood and Water at Iros, Tiberon and Donna-Maria Bays, should thence proceed directly to Carthagena.
February the 17th, the Fleet sailed from the Isle of Vache, and the Day following came to an Anchor in Iros, Tiberon and Donna-Maria Bays.
Seven Days having been employ'd in taking in Wood and Water; Detachments from the American Regiment, and from the Negroes, were daily sent on Shore to cut Fascines and Pickets.
February the 25th, the Weymouth, the Experiment, and the Spence Sloop, were order'd a-head, under the Command of Capt. Knowles, to sound Punto-Canoa Bay, which lies about two Leagues to the Windward of Carthagena.
February the 26th, the whole Fleet got under Sail, and came to an Anchor in Punto-Canoa Bay, March the 4th.
March the 5th, a general Council of War composed of the four principal Officers of the Army, and of the four principal Officers of the Navy, was held for settling the Shares of Plunder; but no Scheme could be then formed for attacking the Town, "from the Want of proper Intelligence."[3]
March the 6th, the General, accompany'd by some of the principal Land Officers, went on Board the Lyon Man of War to reconnoitre the Town, the Coast adjoining, the Forts on Tierra Bomba, &c. but did not return to the Fleet before the 8th in the Morning: The Lyon having lost her Main-Mast by the great Swell of the Sea. The Weymouth, the Dunkirk, the Experiment, and the Spence Sloop, were order'd to the Mouth of the Harbour, for taking the Soundings, and for getting Information how near the large Ships could approach for battering the Forts on Tierra Bomba.