Th& Run from Plymouth to Madeira, and from thence
through the Streight o f Magellan.
(The longitude in this voyage is reckoned from London weltward to 18o,
and eaftward afterwards.]
SOON after I returned from a voyage round the world
with the Honourable Commodore Byron, I was appointed
to'the command of his Majefty’s floop the Swallow, by
a commiflion bearing date the iff of July 1766; the Swallow
then lay at Chatham, and I was ordered to fit her out with
all poflible expedition. She was an old (hip, having been in
the fervice thirty years, and was in my opinion by no means
fit for a long voyage, having only a flight thin fheath-
ing upon her bottom, which was not even filled with nails
to fupply the want o f a covering that would more effectually
keep out the worm. I had been given to underftand that I
was to go out with the Dolphin; but the difparity of the two
Ihips, and the difference in their equipment, made me think
that they could not be intended for the fame duty; the Dolphin,
which was fheathed with copper, being fupplied with
every thing that was requifite for a long and dangerous
navigation; and the Swallow having only a fcanty fupply
o f common neceffaries. However, I ventured to apply for a
forge feme iron, a {mail Ikiff, and feveral other things ■Ml R r WM