hat we had not the true
rate of the watch, and consequently that the above longitude is
not correct.]

On the 6th of August, a light breeze from the sea carried us
within the islands which lie off the harbour, where we anchored
for the night, with the convoy, in 14 fathoms water, clear soft
ground, the island Raz (a low flat island) bearing south by west
two miles, and Rodondo (a high round island) south-west by south.
The next morning an officer was sent to the town, to wait on the
viceroy, and give him information who we were, and for what
purpose we had visited that port: in the afternoon of the 7th,
with a breeze from the sea, we weighed, and, with the whole
convoy, sailed into the harbour.

As we passed Fort Santa Cruz, we saluted with 13 guns, which
was returned by an equal number from the fort; we anchored off
the town in 171/2 fathoms water, over a good soft bottom,
and moored with best bower to the south-east, and the small bower
to the north-west; Fort Santa Cruz south 36 deg. 00' east; the
Sugar Loaf south, 7 deg. 00' east; and the Flag-Staff, on the
Island Cobres, north 78 deg. 00' west, distant from the town one
mile and a half. In going into the harbour, there being very
little wind, some of our convoy were alongside of each other, and
were drifting in with the tide; at which the master of the port,
who was on board the Sirius, expressed much uneasiness; but he
was told our seamen knew very well how to manage their ships, and
that there was no danger: the Portuguese will not allow more than
one of their ships in the narrows at a time.

The ships in general had been remarkably healthy; the whole
number buried since we left England was sixteen, six only of that
number had died between Teneriffe and this place, which certainly
is a very trying part of the voyage to people who have not been
accustomed to warm climates, and being fed wholly on salt
provisions; many of those whom we had lost since we left
Portsmouth, had been lingering under diseases with which they
were afflicted when they embarked; consequently little hope could
be entertained of their recovery in such a situation and under
such circumstances.

On our arrival here, there were but four out of the whole
number in fevers, and a few others with various but trifling
complaints; and between 20 and 30, in whom symptoms of the scurvy
had lately appeared, the seeds of which it was hoped and expected
would be effectually eradicated before we lef